Wednesday 1st May 2024 - Over 55 League

Both X and Y 2024 Over 55 League challenges got off to a slow start with both teams going dwn in their respective matches.

X Division v Teignmouth Den

G Wood, R Horrell, M Meathrel lost 14-24

L Wheeler, P Stanley, J Yeoman lost 12-19

Abbrook Park 26 Teignmouth Den 43

Abbrook Park 0 points Teignmouth Den 8 points

Y Division v Dawlish Marina

W Wale, A Sanders, J Preston drew 18-18

M Goldsmith, D Woods, G Smith lost 15-20

Dawlish Marina 38 Abbrook Park 33

Dawlish Marina 7 points Abbrook Park 1 point.

Sunday 28th April 2024 - Crediton

It was a most enjoyable afternoon, aided by the weather forecast being completely wrong in as much that rain was forecast by  the met office all afternoon, but we didn't see a drop!

 We may have lost overall, but the game was played in good spirit and we were made to feel most welcome with excellent hospitality.

J Barr, G Smith, J Stevens lost 7-21

T Bailey, J Preston, N Wilson lost 15-18

P Ritson, C Lloyd, T Archer lost 12-20

P Smith, P Stanley, T Sandelance won 18-8

P Carwardine, M Bailey, R Horrell lost 9-20

G Walling, B Lawrence, B Lawrence won 17-11

Crediton 98 shots Abbrook Park 78 shots

Message from the Secretary 12th March 2024

Good afternoon, Everyone,

 The Gardening Day has made the surrounds of the club look much tidier without the weeds growing everywhere so, a big thank you to all those who helped yesterday:-

 Carolyn Wilkinson, Andrew Wilkinson, Barb Lawrence, Jill McCord, Greg Wood, Tom Archer, Dave Schooling, Will Wale. Lin Sharland, Jeff Sharland.

 Thanks to Jim Yeoman for hauling the car park light stanchion upright again.

Message from the men’s captain, 11th March 2024

Another big effort has gone in at the club over the past week or more.

The club interior has now been completed with fresh paint right through. This has been a massive effort and an awful lot of hard work. 

There has also been constant work being done out on the green and surrounding area's.

The green itself is now looking excellent and with only 5 weeks to go until opening day I for certain can not wait to get on it and start bowling.

Of course this does not happen on it's own and a lot of of dedicated members have put an awful lot of hours and days in to prepare the clubhouse and green for the coming season.

I would like to express my thanks to:

Jeff & Lin Sharland, Phil Stanley, Nigel Coomes, Dave Woods, Bill Schirn, Julia Hedley, Dave Schooling, Tom Archer, Phil Ritson, Kevin Taylor, Jim Yeoman and all of Jeff's green maintain team. Apologies if I have missed anybody!

 There is still work to be done on the outside of the club house and surrounding area's before the season starts and any volunteers for this would be much appreciated. (This is not the gardening day)

 Rob   

Message from the men’s captain, 26th February 2024

Dear All,

The club has been given a new, fresh look inside and the feedback has been very positive.

It took a lot of work and hours of effort to complete the work in the main room and the changing rooms have been started. 

I would like to pass on my thanks as I am sure the membership would too:

Jeff & Lin Sharland, Bill Schirn, Les Woodger, Dave Schooling, Nigel Coombes, Phil Ritson, Phil Stanley, Julia Hedley, Dave Woods & Tom Archer.

There is still the kitchen area, and changing rooms to complete and one last effort will be needed to complete the interior task. Any volunteers who can help then please let me know.

I am looking at Tuesday 5th, Wednesday 6th to finish things off.

Thank you for all your efforts,

Rob H

Message from our greenkeeper, 25th February 2024

Max has been working on our green every week over the winter, either feeding it or slitting (aerating). 

On March 5th Max will be renovating the green, which will involve scarifying and then dimple seeding. He will also spray the ditches and surrounds with a strong weedkiller. 

Before then we need to verti-cut the green to remove as much moss as possible. This only needs three of us, one on the mower and two on the wheelbarrows. You are welcome to come along and see how we verti-cut. 

Lin and I have started repainting the colours for rink changes. 

Last Saturday Phil and Jim used the new mower and cut the green. They loved the new mower so much that when they had finished they reset the cutting depth from 11mm to 10mm and cut the grass again in another direction. Our other mower is in for a service so we will soon be covered in case we have a problem with the new mower.  

Thanks for all your help. 

Jeff 

Monday 25th September 2023 - County Competitions Round-Up (part six)

With the county competitions well underway, now is the time to take stock of progress made thus far;

Ladies Team -

SDL Challenge - After overcoming Paignton in the first round of the competition, Abbrook have been drawn against Marina at home on Tuesday 11th July at 2:00pm. Abbrook Park beat Marina and now face Dawlish Lawn in the quarter-final. This will be played at Abbrook Park on Friday 28th July at 6:00pm. Following their fine win against Dawlish Lawn they will now face Torquay BC in the semi-final of the competition. This will take place at Abbrook Park on Thursday 17th August at 10:30am. Abbrook Park faced astiff competition as befitted a semi-final of any competition. A brave effort by our ladies resulted in an ultimate loss by just nine shots.

Grace Matthews - In the Grace Matthews, having already beaten Marina and Chudleigh our ladies will now play Bitton Park in the section final, at home on Monday 24th July 2023 at 2:00pm. Our ladies said farewell in this competition losing to Bitton Park by three rinks to two.

Ladies Majors -

In the ladies majors competitions we can report success on three fronts. In the singles, pairs and fours we have reached the out of section qualifiying stages and in all three cases are three games away from reaching the finals at Leamington Spa.

In the singles, Anne Russell will take on Liz Smerdon of Crediton in the quarter final at Madeira BC on Saturday 15th July 2023 at 10:00am. Anne lost her singles game to a very in form Liz who later that day went on to qualify for Leamington.

In the pairs, Carolyn Wilkinson and Anne Russell will play Jan Reid and Lyn Parker from United Services BC at Abbrook Park on Sunday 23rd July 2023 at 10:00am. Anne and Carol pulled through a very close game winning the match with the final shot of the game. In the afternoon their opponents were Nikki Paine and Helen Ellis of Crediton. In another very close game Anne and Carol lost out by two shots. Thus ended their campaign to reach Leamington at the semi-final stage.

In the fours, Barbara Lawrence, Carolyn Wilkinson, Anne Russell and Jean Stevens will play a team from Plymstock at Culm Vale BC on Saturday 1st July 2023 at 10:00am. Unfortunately our ladies were beaten, losing on the extra end by two shots.

Ladies Minors -

In the Over 55 pairs semi-final Carolyn Wilkinson and Anne Russell will play Jane Otieno and Isobel Burley from Newton Abbot. Anne and Carolyn beat Jane and Isobel and will now face another Newton Abbot pairing in Cath Pickett and Linda Dedman in the section final which will be played at Abbrook Park on Wednesday 26th July at 2:15pm. In the final Anne and Carol were beaten by Linda and Cath by just two shots.

In the Over 55 singles, Anne Russell has reached the semi-final of the competition. There she will face Moira Webber on Wednesday 19th July at 12:30pm at Bitton Park BC. Anne beat Moira and now faces Catherine Pickett of Newton Abbot in the section five final. This will take place at Abbrook Park on Saturday 5th August 2023. Anne beat Cath in the final by ten shots and now goes forward as the Section 5 winner. Anne will now face Rosemary Perryman from Plymouth Unity Park in the last eight of the county. This will take place at Culm Vale BC on Sunday 27th August 2023 at 10:00am. In the last eight, Anne eased past Rosemary Perryman. In the semi-final Anne faced Val Davis and in a very tight game was eventually beaten 21-19 to end her county challenge this year.

Mens Team -

Foxlands

In the mens Foxland trophy, Abbrook Park have reached the Section Five final and will play Shaldon on Thursday 27th July at 6:00pm. The winners of the section will have a home draw to the winners of section two in the out of section quarter final. The semi-final and final will take place at Sir Francis Drake BC, Plymouth. Our men’s challenge in this year’s competition was abruptly halted at the section final stage by a very strong Shaldon team. The game was conceded at the fifteenth end with Shaldon leading overall by thirty-three shots.

Mens Majors -

Only one entrant in the mens majors in the triples. Phil Irish, Jeff Sharland and Kev Taylor who were knocked out in the quarter-final by the eventual group winners S Davies/R Bawden/R Whitlock of Shaldon.

Mens Minors -

In the Over 60 singles, we have four quarter finalists. Tom Archer, Nigel Coombes, Rob Horrell and Kev Taylor. Rob Horrell and Kev Taylor have been matched and we will therefore have at least one semi-finalist. In the quarter finals, Tom Archer was beaten by Shaun Lynch of Newton Abbot. Nigel Coombes beat Ian Ramsey of Chudleigh, and in the local derby Kev Taylor beat Rob Horrell. This guarantees an Abbrook finalist as the draw pairs Nigel against Kev in the semi-final. In the semi-final Kev Taylor beat Nigel Coombes and will now play Shaun Lynch at Newton Abbot BC on Friday 4th August 2023. In the final itself Shaun Lynch was ahead for most of the game but in the later stages Kevin started to apply some pressure and was starting to reel in his opponent until Kev had an unfortunate movement which took away his holding shot. Shaun took full advantage and never looked back.

In the unbadged pairs we have two quarter finalists, Dave Woods and Rob Horrell have a home draw to a team from Marina. Meanwhile, Jeff Sharland and Kev Taylor will be away at Newton Abbot. Both pairs from Abbrook have progressed and in the semi-finals will face M&P Vowden from Shaldon and P Hayes/P Sweet of Dawlish Marina respectively. In the semi-finals we had mixed fortunes. Dave Woods and Rob Horrell were beaten by M&P Vowden of Shaldon whilst Jeff Sharland and K Taylor beat P Sweet and P Hayes to set up a final against the Vowdens which will be played at Abbrook Park BC. This was extremely tight right up until late in the game where Shaldon were holding a number of shots with Abbrook having one to bowl. The end was conceded with six shots to Shaldon as a couple of woods had been removed from the head in the mistaken belief that all bowls had been delivered. A very unfortunate way to lose or win a final.   

In the unbadged triples quarter final we have representation in Nigel Coombes, Phil Stanley and Mike Russell who have a home draw against Bovey Tracey. Abbrook won their quarter final, and will now face M&P Vowden and B Stanley of Shaldon on Sunday July 16th at 6:00pm at home in the semi-final. In the semi-final our men battled through to set up a final against B Waitman, S Tipping and A Saunders. This will be played at Abbrook Park on Wednesday 2nd August at 6:00pm. The final itself was a very good game. Up until around the eighth end honours were even at 7-7. Abbrook then pulled away in the second half of the game winning every end to run out winners by 17-7. Out of section they will face a team from South Molton BC. This will take place at Abbrook Park on Tuesday 22nd August at 11:00am. A good close game against the triple from South Molton. The home team led for most of the game but finally fell to defeat by three shots ending this year’s challenge.

Mixed Competitions -

In the mixed pairs quarter finals Lynn and Jeff Sharland will be away and take on a pair from Newton Abbot. Unfortunately Jeff and Lynn were beaten in the semi-final by K&R Chappell of Starcross.

In the mixed triples we have semi-finalists in Jeff Sharland, Lynn Sharland and Kev Taylor who will play away to Cath and Dave Pickett and Trevor Voisey of Newton Abbot. More success for our Burma Star Triple who beat the Newton Abbot triple to set up a final against Bill Smith, Sue Pook and Terry Ash at Abbrook Park BC. This was an especial win for Kev Taylor as it was the win he needed to reach the thirty points required for his county badge. In the final itself our triple ran into some very stiff competition losing out to the Bitton Park team.

MDL Cup and Club competitions are both at an early stage. As these progress, they will be reported upon.

Devon County, Johns Trophy

Abbrook Park continue to have representation in this competition with Anne Russell. In a three county round robin qualifier, Devon did not start particularly well drawing their first game three rinks apiece but losing on points against Warwickshire. This left Devon dependent upon the result of the next game between Warwickshire and Gloucestershire. The gods were smiling on the county as Glouestershire won the match, giving Devon a second chance. The brief then was to beat Gloucestershire by at least three rinks, preferably four, to get them to advance to the next round. The challenge was laid down and the ladies duly obliged winning by five rinks to one. Next up is the area final which pits Devon against Wiltshire on Saturday 22nd July 2023, 2:00pm at Clarence Park Bowls Club, Weston-Super-Mare. The winners will go forward to Leamington Spa for finals day. The ladies of Devon met the ladies of Wiltshire in the area final at a damp Clarence Park in Weston-Super-Mare. Wiltshire started very strongly and had the game been called off after 42 ends because of the weather, would have been the winners. However, the weather was not to intervene. Nevertheless Wiltshire continued to dominate on most of the rinks. At the fifteenth end, Devon were behind by forty five shots and it was looking game over. At this point the game changed. Wiltshires game seemed to drop and Devon found a new resolve. The score was slowly whittled down and as we reached the final ends Devon got their noses in front and finished winning the match by thirteen shots. Devon will now travel to Leamington Spa on Saturday 19th August 2023 for their semi-final and hopefully, final. Well done to Anne and the Devon Ladies. In the semi-final the twenty-four ladies faced Essex winning the match by six shots and setting up a final against Surrey who they had beaten in the 2021 final of this competition. This time Devon prevailed yet again winning the final by six shots to become champions of England.

Club Competitions 2023

In the mens competitions Norrie Wilson has reached the final of the four wood singles and Phil Irish has reached the final of the two wood singles. In the pairs, Dave Woods and Greg Wood have also reached the final. Opponents are yet to be determined for any of our finalists. In the final of the four wood singles Tom Archer beat Norrie Wilson to take the club champioship. In the mens two wood pairs Phil Irish beat Jeff Sharland. The mens pairs remains unresolved

In the ladies four wood singles Lin Sharland will play the winner from Jill McCord or Lesley Brooks, in the two wood singles Lin again features and will play Pat Loft. The pairs final will be Jill McCord and Lin Sharland against Liz Rollason and Claire Lloyd. In the ladies four wood singles Jill McCord beat Lynn Sharland. In the two wood singles Lynn Sharland beat Pat Loft. The ladies pairs went to Jill McCord and Lynn Sharland who overcame Lin Rollason and Claire Lloyd in a much closer game than expected.

MDL

Our interest in the MDL competition ended early in the singles, pairs and rinks. In the triples we have a semi-finalist respented by T Sandelance, R Milne and R Horrell. They will play a team from Babbacombe on Thursday 31st August 2023. Well done to Tony Sandelance, Ron Milne and Rob Horrell who won the MDL triples beating a team from Babbacombe. A well done to another team from Abbrook Andrew Wilkinson, Norrie Wilson, Dave Schooling and Nigel Coombes who won the Officers Cup.

Friday 15th Septemebr 2023 - Bocking Alliance

Another touring side were welcomed to Abbrook Park. This time the visitors were the Bocking Alliance. Unfortunately, the rink cards for the day seem to have gone walkabout. However, I am reliably informed that the home side won by around seventeen shots, and were the first team to defeat the visitors on their tour.

Our teams were;

G Clark, T Hatcliff, N Coombes

J Barr, D Schooling, L Wheeler

P Harris, G Wood, P Ritson

T Drew, P Carwardine, A Wilkinson

P Loft, P Stanley, G Walling

14th September 2023 - eMail from the Over 55 Secretary

email from Mike Russell, Over 55 League Secretary reproduced below,

Good morning Phil,

I am writing to you in my official capacity as Honorary Secretary of the South Devon Over 55 Triples League. On behalf of the committee, Mervyn, Steve and myself we would like express our thanks to you and Abbrook Park for hosting this year’s final. There are two key components to a successful finals day and they are good organisation and good weather. I am delighted to say we had both in abundance. From the cutting and brushing of the green, laying out, removing and storing of the equipment, and turning the green in preparation for the afternoon, our thanks to you and Norrie. Likewise, for running the bar and making sure no one was left thirsty, again Phil, our thanks to you. For being our unofficial photographer at the outset and for the presentation photographs. Thanks Phil. (I’m spotting a trend here!). At the end of the day a lot of compliments were received from the players about the quality of the green and I would be grateful if you would pass this information, and our appreciation onto Jeff and his team. Abbrook Park are certainly making a name for themselves in a very positive way.

Lastly, but by no means least your ladies, who did a superb job in providing breakfast and an excellent lunch. Jean, Claire, Liz and Anne remained unfazed throughout in what at times looked to be a quite chaotic and daunting challenge. They rose to that challenge magnificently. Thanks also to Carol who was unable to be there on the day but was instrumental in planning and preparation. 

Throughout, all the volunteers on the day were exemplary and a credit to the club. On behalf of the committee a very well done to all and hopefully we will be able to come back soon.

 I would also like to add a personal thanks to you Phil for averting a major crisis first thing in the morning when my car stalled and inconveniently blocked the entrance to our car park. Thanks to your quick thinking and improvisation the crisis was soon averted.

Regards and Best Wishes

 

Mike Russell              Honorary Secretary

                                    Men’s South Devon Over 55 Triples League

14th September 2023 - Letter from the MDBL President

Letter from Lionel Wheeler, MDBL President/Secretary 2023, reproduced below,

Hi Phil,

On behalf of myself and the Management Committee of the Mid Devon Bowling League I would like to say a big thank you to Abbrook Park B.C. for hosting our competition finals on Saturday 9th September 2023.

The hospitality was first class.

The food on offer was top notch.

The bar was well stocked and catered for everyone.

The Green was a joy to bowl on, the only complaint was from one bowler who complained that he had to bowl 42 ends.

And so, once again a big thank you to everyone from Abbrook Park that contributed to a very successful finals day.

 Many thanks

 Lionel Wheeler

President/ Secretary, Mid Devon Bowling League.

Monday 11th September 2023 - Northants Retired Police

This afternoon we wlcomed Northants Retired Police to our club for a touring friendly.

D Schooling, C Lloyd, B Rowe, R Horrell won 19-15

J Barr, T Wood/G Wood, M Meathrel, L Wheeler won 21-8

P Harris, D Woods, N Coombes, N Wilson won 14-12

M Sumner, E Coombes, G Walling, P Stanley won 21-12

S Mukherjee, J Yeoman, J Preston, T Archer won 19-14

Abbrook Park 94 shots Northants Retired Police 61 shots

Saturday 9th September 2023 - MDBL Finals

Phil Stanley wrote……..

Abbrook Park Bowling Club managed to arrange a perfectly HOT and sunny day for the Mid Devon Bowling League Finals Day with closely fought semi-finals in the morning and even more closely fought finals in the afternoon. The home interest in the morning was with the team that won the new Officers Cup, Nigel Coombes, Dave Schooling, Andrew Wilkinson and Norrie Wilson.

 The home interest in the afternoon was with the team that won the Triples Final, Ron Milne, Tony Sandelance and Rob Horrell. Congratulations to them all.

Lionel thanked the club for hosting the event, the ladies in the kitchen, Sue Mukherjee, Eve Olver and Jean Stanley. Wendy Coombes and Liz Rollason in the bar and everyone who assisted with setting out the Green.

 Many favourable comments were received on the condition of the Green. Well done Jeff.

Friday 8th September 2023 - Crediton

Abbrook travelled to Crediton for our last friendly game of the season, with the home side taking the spoils.

P Sore, C Wilkinson, K Taylor won 16-19

J Barr, J Stanley, R Horrell lost 27-13

J McCord, P Loft, N Wilson lost 16-13

C Lloyd, T Drew, T Archer lost 6-21

P Carwardine, M Russell, A Wilkinson lost 12-23

M Meathrel, G Walling, P Stanley won 2 -30

Crediton 100 shots Abbrook Park 93 shots

4th September 2023 - Bitton Park

A six rink friendly against our neighbours from Bitton Park resulted in an away win by 11 shots

H Meager, J Stanley, G Walling, R Horrell won 23-15

C Lloyd, C Wilkinson, J Coker, P Stanley won 21-20

S Mukherjee, R Excell, D Schooling, T Archer won 26-18

G&T Wood, C Hewings, M Meathrel, A Wilkinson lost 15-25

M Sumner, P Loft, J Preston, D Woods lost 7-26

T Hatcliff, J Barr, B Rowe, N Wilson won 16-15

Abbrook Park 108 shots Bitton Park 119 shots

2nd September/3rd September 2023 - Club Finals Week-End

Phil Stanley writes……..

Congratulations and thanks to all the competitors and officials who took part in the sunny Finals Weekend, not forgetting the spectators who came to support them.

 On Saturday Lin Sharland won the Ladies Two wood singles against Pat Loft.

Phil Irish won the Men's Two wood singles against Jeff Sharland. A close match that could have gone either way.

 Jill McCord won the Ladies Championship Four wood singles against Lin Sharland. Another very close match.

Tom Archer won the Men's Championship Four wood singles against Norrie Wilson, for the first time since being a member of the Club.

 The match of the weekend, however, took place on Sunday. The Ladies Pairs between Lin Sharland, Jill McCord and Claire Lloyd and Liz Rollason was not the one sided affair that may have been expected, as Claire and Liz were up against the 2023 Ladies four wood Champion and Runner-Up. It was a great match, with Claire and Liz leading up to the 16th end when Lin and Jill picked up a four to draw level. On the last end, Lin and Jill were 18-16 up, Claire and Liz had shot, but could not gain the second point for a draw, so Lin and Jill won 18-17. An excellent competition.

1st September 2023 - Royal Household

A first time vist from Royal Household, Windsor. Lovely people, a great atmosphere and very busy when you consider that they brought a coach of 50 people and we played 7 rinks.

J Greenwood, T&G Wood, D Schooling, N Wilson lost 12-19

P Horrell, Tony Hatcliff, M Meathrel, P Stanley lost 10-24

T Bailey, Jim Yeoman, L Wheeler, R Horrell lost 13-14

Janet Barr, B Rowe, J Coker, M Bailey lost 10-13

M Sumner, J Stanley, A Wilkinson, D Woods won 24-9

M Goldsmith, P Carwardine, G Walling, N Coombes lost 14-15

Julia Hearne, L Rollason, Sue Mukherjee, T Archer lost 11-19

Abbrook Park 85 shots Royal Household 94 shots

31st August 2023 - MDL Cup Triples

Rob Horrell writes……..

Ron Milne, Tony Sandelance & Rob Horrell travelled to Babbacombe to play their semi-final of the Mid Devon Bowls triples competition.

They started well and after the first four ends found their selves 9 shots to nil up. They kept the pressure on Babbacombe’s Colin Whiley, Dave Andrews & Doug Potter and after ten ends had increased their lead by 16 shots to 6. All three of Abbrook’s players were playing well and Babbacombe found it hard to reply picking up just another 5 shots in the last eight ends. Abbrook finished the match well with an outcome of 21 shots to 12.

 The MDL finals are programmed to be played at Abbrook Park on Saturday, 9th September. This is good news for the Abbrook trio as it will be the first time they have played on their own rink through-out this competition.

30th August 2023 - Over 55 League

Both teams finished the campaign with 8-0 wins. Both finished a creditable second in their respective leagues.

X Division v Bovey Tracey

F Carter, R Horrell, T Sandelance won 13-22

P Stanley, D Schooling, N Wilson won12-14

Bovey Tracey 25 shots Abbrook Park 36 shots

Bovey TRacey 0 points Abbrook Park 8 points

Y Division v Shaldon

L Woodger, J Preston, T Archer won 27-14

G Walling, N Coombes, A Wilkinson won 23-22

Abbrook Park 50 shots Shaldon 36 shots

Abbrook Park 8 points Shaldon 0 points

26th August 2023 - Bovey Tracey

An end of season friendly against our neighbours from Bovey Tracey produced a strong win for the home team.

S Mukherjee, C Wilkinson, P Sore, D Woods won 21-10

M Goldsmith, T&G Wood, J Yeoman, N Wilson won 32-11

J Webber, P Loft, J Medleycott, R Horrell won 20-14

L Rollason, G Clark, D Schooling, A Wilkinson won 20-12

Abbrook Park 93 shots Bovey Tracey 47 shots.

Saturday 26th August 2023 - County Competitions Round-Up (part five)

Updates in blue

With the county competitions well underway, now is the time to take stock of progress made thus far;

Ladies Team -

SDL Challenge - After overcoming Paignton in the first round of the competition, Abbrook have been drawn against Marina at home on Tuesday 11th July at 2:00pm. Abbrook Park beat Marina and now face Dawlish Lawn in the quarter-final. This will be played at Abbrook Park on Friday 28th July at 6:00pm. Following their fine win against Dawlish Lawn they will now face Torquay BC in the semi-final of the competition. This will take place at Abbrook Park on Thursday 17th August at 10:30am. Abbrook Park faced astiff competition as befitted a semi-final of any competition. A brave effort by our ladies resulted in an ultimate loss by just nine shots.

Grace Matthews - In the Grace Matthews, having already beaten Marina and Chudleigh our ladies will now play Bitton Park in the section final, at home on Monday 24th July 2023 at 2:00pm. Our ladies said farewell in this competition losing to Bitton Park by three rinks to two.

Ladies Majors -

In the ladies majors competitions we can report success on three fronts. In the singles, pairs and fours we have reached the out of section qualifiying stages and in all three cases are three games away from reaching the finals at Leamington Spa.

In the singles, Anne Russell will take on Liz Smerdon of Crediton in the quarter final at Madeira BC on Saturday 15th July 2023 at 10:00am. Anne lost her singles game to a very in form Liz who later that day went on to qualify for Leamington.

In the pairs, Carolyn Wilkinson and Anne Russell will play Jan Reid and Lyn Parker from United Services BC at Abbrook Park on Sunday 23rd July 2023 at 10:00am. Anne and Carol pulled through a very close game winning the match with the final shot of the game. In the afternoon their opponents were Nikki Paine and Helen Ellis of Crediton. In another very close game Anne and Carol lost out by two shots. Thus ended their campaign to reach Leamington at the semi-final stage.

In the fours, Barbara Lawrence, Carolyn Wilkinson, Anne Russell and Jean Stevens will play a team from Plymstock at Culm Vale BC on Saturday 1st July 2023 at 10:00am. Unfortunately our ladies were beaten, losing on the extra end by two shots.

Ladies Minors -

In the Over 55 pairs semi-final Carolyn Wilkinson and Anne Russell will play Jane Otieno and Isobel Burley from Newton Abbot. Anne and Carolyn beat Jane and Isobel and will now face another Newton Abbot pairing in Cath Pickett and Linda Dedman in the section final which will be played at Abbrook Park on Wednesday 26th July at 2:15pm. In the final Anne and Carol were beaten by Linda and Cath by just two shots.

In the Over 55 singles, Anne Russell has reached the semi-final of the competition. There she will face Moira Webber on Wednesday 19th July at 12:30pm at Bitton Park BC. Anne beat Moira and now faces Catherine Pickett of Newton Abbot in the section five final. This will take place at Abbrook Park on Saturday 5th August 2023. Anne beat Cath in the final by ten shots and now goes forward as the Section 5 winner. Anne will now face Rosemary Perryman from Plymouth Unity Park in the last eight of the county. This will take place at Culm Vale BC on Sunday 27th August 2023 at 10:00am.

Mens Team -

Foxlands

In the mens Foxland trophy, Abbrook Park have reached the Section Five final and will play Shaldon on Thursday 27th July at 6:00pm. The winners of the section will have a home draw to the winners of section two in the out of section quarter final. The semi-final and final will take place at Sir Francis Drake BC, Plymouth. Our men’s challenge in this year’s competition was abruptly halted at the section final stage by a very strong Shaldon team. The game was conceded at the fifteenth end with Shaldon leading overall by thirty-three shots.

Mens Majors -

Only one entrant in the mens majors in the triples. Phil Irish, Jeff Sharland and Kev Taylor who were knocked out in the quarter-final by the eventual group winners S Davies/R Bawden/R Whitlock of Shaldon.

Mens Minors -

In the Over 60 singles, we have four quarter finalists. Tom Archer, Nigel Coombes, Rob Horrell and Kev Taylor. Rob Horrell and Kev Taylor have been matched and we will therefore have at least one semi-finalist. In the quarter finals, Tom Archer was beaten by Shaun Lynch of Newton Abbot. Nigel Coombes beat Ian Ramsey of Chudleigh, and in the local derby Kev Taylor beat Rob Horrell. This guarantees an Abbrook finalist as the draw pairs Nigel against Kev in the semi-final. In the semi-final Kev Taylor beat Nigel Coombes and will now play Shaun Lynch at Newton Abbot BC on Friday 4th August 2023. In the final itself Shaun Lynch was ahead for most of the game but in the later stages Kevin started to apply some pressure and was starting to reel in his opponent until Kev had an unfortunate movement which took away his holding shot. Shaun took full advantage and never looked back.

In the unbadged pairs we have two quarter finalists, Dave Woods and Rob Horrell have a home draw to a team from Marina. Meanwhile, Jeff Sharland and Kev Taylor will be away at Newton Abbot. Both pairs from Abbrook have progressed and in the semi-finals will face M&P Vowden from Shaldon and P Hayes/P Sweet of Dawlish Marina respectively. In the semi-finals we had mixed fortunes. Dave Woods and Rob Horrell were beaten by M&P Vowden of Shaldon whilst Jeff Sharland and K Taylor beat P Sweet and P Hayes to set up a final against the Vowdens which will be played at Abbrook Park BC. This was extremely tight right up until late in the game where Shaldon were holding a number of shots with Abbrook having one to bowl. The end was conceded with six shots to Shaldon as a couple of woods had been removed from the head in the mistaken belief that all bowls had been delivered. A very unfortunate way to lose or win a final.   

In the unbadged triples quarter final we have representation in Nigel Coombes, Phil Stanley and Mike Russell who have a home draw against Bovey Tracey. Abbrook won their quarter final, and will now face M&P Vowden and B Stanley of Shaldon on Sunday July 16th at 6:00pm at home in the semi-final. In the semi-final our men battled through to set up a final against B Waitman, S Tipping and A Saunders. This will be played at Abbrook Park on Wednesday 2nd August at 6:00pm. The final itself was a very good game. Up until around the eighth end honours were even at 7-7. Abbrook then pulled away in the second half of the game winning every end to run out winners by 17-7. Out of section they will face a team from South Molton BC. This will take place at Abbrook Park on Tuesday 22nd August at 11:00am. A good close game against the triple from South Molton. The home team led for most of the game but finally fell to defeat by three shots ending this year’s challenge.

Mixed Competitions -

In the mixed pairs quarter finals Lynn and Jeff Sharland will be away and take on a pair from Newton Abbot. Unfortunately Jeff and Lynn were beaten in the semi-final by K&R Chappell of Starcross.

In the mixed triples we have semi-finalists in Jeff Sharland, Lynn Sharland and Kev Taylor who will play away to Cath and Dave Pickett and Trevor Voisey of Newton Abbot. More success for our Burma Star Triple who beat the Newton Abbot triple to set up a final against Bill Smith, Sue Pook and Terry Ash at Abbrook Park BC. This was an especial win for Kev Taylor as it was the win he needed to reach the thirty points required for his county badge. In the final itself our triple ran into some very stiff competition losing out to the Bitton Park team.

MDL Cup and Club competitions are both at an early stage. As these progress, they will be reported upon.

Devon County, Johns Trophy

Abbrook Park continue to have representation in this competition with Anne Russell. In a three county round robin qualifier, Devon did not start particularly well drawing their first game three rinks apiece but losing on points against Warwickshire. This left Devon dependent upon the result of the next game between Warwickshire and Gloucestershire. The gods were smiling on the county as Glouestershire won the match, giving Devon a second chance. The brief then was to beat Gloucestershire by at least three rinks, preferably four, to get them to advance to the next round. The challenge was laid down and the ladies duly obliged winning by five rinks to one. Next up is the area final which pits Devon against Wiltshire on Saturday 22nd July 2023, 2:00pm at Clarence Park Bowls Club, Weston-Super-Mare. The winners will go forward to Leamington Spa for finals day. The ladies of Devon met the ladies of Wiltshire in the area final at a damp Clarence Park in Weston-Super-Mare. Wiltshire started very strongly and had the game been called off after 42 ends because of the weather, would have been the winners. However, the weather was not to intervene. Nevertheless Wiltshire continued to dominate on most of the rinks. At the fifteenth end, Devon were behind by forty five shots and it was looking game over. At this point the game changed. Wiltshires game seemed to drop and Devon found a new resolve. The score was slowly whittled down and as we reached the final ends Devon got their noses in front and finished winning the match by thirteen shots. Devon will now travel to Leamington Spa on Saturday 19th August 2023 for their semi-final and hopefully, final. Well done to Anne and the Devon Ladies. In the semi-final the twenty-four ladies faced Essex winning the match by six shots and setting up a final against Surrey who they had beaten in the 2021 final of this competition. This time Devon prevailed yet again winning the final by six shots to become champions of England.

Club Competitions 2023

In the mens competitions Norrie Wilson has reached the final of the four wood singles and Phil Irish has reached the final of the two wood singles. In the pairs, Dave Woods and Greg Wood have also reached the final. Opponents are yet to be determined for any of our finalists.

In the ladies four wood singles Lin Sharland will play the winner from Jill McCord or Lesley Brooks, in the two wood singles Lin again features and will play Pat Loft. The pairs final will be Jill McCord and Lin Sharland against Liz Rollason and Claire Lloyd.

MDL

Our interest in the MDL competition ended early in the singles, pairs and rinks. In the triples we have a semi-finalist respented by T Sandelance, R Milne and R Horrell. They will play a team from Babbacombe on Thursday 31st August 2023. 

Friday 25th August 2023 - Teignmouth Den

A game curtailed by the weather and shelter taken in the bar resulted in a home win by thirty-eight shots to twenty-six.

J Barr, G Wood, T Archer won 14-7

B Rowe, L Rollason, D Schooling drew 6-6

M Goldsmith, P Loft, G Walling lost 7-9

M Sumner, T Drew, D Woods won 11-4

Abbrook Park 38 points Teignmouth Den 26 points

Thursday 24th August 2023 - Starcross

A lovely summers day which was interspersed with a light shower to cool the players. This worked more for the opposition who took all the spoils on a very cordial day.

T Drew, C Hewing, L Rollason, N Coomes lost 15-22

M Goldsmith, J Hearne, J Medleycott, T Archer lost 8-22

J Greenwood, T Hatcliff, P Loft, C Wilkinson lost 10-31

E Coombe, P Ritson, J Barr, A Wilkinson lost 20-21

Abbrook Park 53 shots Starcross 96 shots

Wednesday 23rd August 2023- Over 55

The penultimate games of the Over 55 season and a double header against our friends from Kingsteignton.

“X” travelled to Kingsteignton and predictably found the going tough.

J Yeoman, M Meathrel, P Stanley lost 19-15

M Russell, D Woods, K Taylor lost 22-15

Kingsteignton 41 shots Abbrook Park 30 shots

Kingsteignton 8 points Abbrook Park 0 poinst

“Y” were the hosts and were on the end of a less predictable result.

G Walling, N Coombes, T Archer lost 14-17

A Wilkinson , W Wale, B Lawrence 14-24

Abbrook Patk 28 shots Kingsteignton 41 shots

Abbrook Park 0 poinst Kingsteington 8 points

Monday 21st August 2023 - SDL2

Our ladies brought to a close this seasons campaign with a home match to Totnes. Our ladies scored another win to take their tally for the season to eleven with just the one loss. This result has not only confirmed their promotion back to SDL1 but as champions of SDL2. Well done ladies, a very good season.

T Bailey, J Stanley, A Russell won 28-13

J McCord, P Harris, J Medleycott lost 14-18

B Lawrence, C Wilkinson, J Stevens won 21-9

Abbrook Park 63 shots Totnes 40 shots

Abbrook Park 8 points Totnes 2 points

Sunday 20th August 2023 - Ilsington

An away friendly at Ilsington where there was a very warm welcome and a generous helping of sun, sandwiches and cakes. The generosity stopped short of the green where the home side ensured a home win.

G Wood/T Wood, P Irish, J Yeoman won 17-20

J Schirn, B Schirn, P Stanley lost 32-6

S Mukherjee, G Walling, J Preston won 12-15

G Clark, E Coombes, N Coombes lost 17-12

Ilsington 78 shots Abbrook Park 53 shots

Saturday 19th August 2023 - Leamington Spa

“On Saturday 19th August, Abbrook Park’s very own Anne Russell was selected to represent the county in the 2023 Johns Trophy at Leamington Spa.

The team of twenty-four ladies faced Essex in the morning’s semi-final managing to beat them by six shots. This set-up a final against Surrey who beat Lincolnshire in the other semi-final. The final itself was a repeat of the 2021 final where Devon came from behind to win that year’s competition by two shots on the final end of the match. This time whilst still close, Devon managed to keep Surrey at arm’s length throughout and took the match, and this year’s championship, by six shots. Well done to Anne and all the other Devon ladies who made up the team”.

Anne’s rink, pictured with Anne, left to right, are skip Sue Harriott (Madeira), Julia Barnes (Newton Abbot) and Ella Crouch (Torquay Belgrave)

The Johns Trophy squad 2023 (winners)

Friday 18th 2023 - Kingsteignton

A friendly with our near neigbours from Kingsteignton resulted in a win for the home team. The match was curtailed at the sixteenth end owing to the weather.

S Mukherjee, J Coker, P Stanley won 17-11

G Clark, L Rollason, W Wale lost 8-14

J Barr, B Rowe, K Taylor won 21-11

M Sumner, J Yeoman, M Goldsmith, D Woods lost 11-14

Abbrook Park 57 Kingsteignton 50

Thursday 17th August 2023 - Over 55 League

An opportunity to play a rearranged fixture and address the shortcomings of the day before. However, this proved not to be the case with the home team taking all the spoils and with it any chance of Abbrook repeating last year’s league title win.

F Carter, M Meathrel, K Taylor lost 24-11

J Yeoman, P Stanley, N Wilson lost 18-16

Buckfastleigh 42 shots Abbrook Park 27 shots

Buckfastleigh 8 points Abbrook Park 0 points

Thursday 17th August 2023 - SDL Challenge

Semi-final time in the SDL challange and Abbrook ladies were facing difficult opposition in Torqauy Belgrave. Despite a valiant effort by the team they narrowly lost the match by seven shots.

A Russell lost to V Davis 18-20

B Lawrence, J Stevens lost to S Coffield, M Boyle 17-21

E Coombes, J Stanley, C Wilkinson lost to J Perrett, C Marshall, L Lock 15-16

J McCord, T Bailey, L Brooks, L Sharland lost to Z Bristow, J Welch, D Jordain, G Crispin 14-16

Abbrook Park 66 shots Torquay Belgrave 73 shots

Wednesday 16th August 2023 - Over 55 League

With the “Y” team having a rest week the focus fell upon the “X” team who following their previous defeat at home to Shaldon required a good win to get them back into the title race.Whilst the team won the match this will be looked upon as a missed opportunity to put pressure back on their rivals after dropping two of the eight points on offer.

F Carer, N Wilson, R Horrell won 26-14

M Meathrel, D Schooling, T Sandelance lost 18-23

Abbrook Park 44 shots Newton Abbot 37 shots

Abbrook Park 6 points Newton Abbot 2 points

Monday 14th August 2023 - MDL1

Abbrook Park had their final MDL1 league game after holding top spot throughout the season. They were up against a good Bitton Park side who were relegated from the premier division last season. Bitton were holding second place having had good results in their last three games and were just 8 points behind. This was a match that would decide who was promoted as champions and runner-up both having already secured promotion.

The maximum amount of points available in the match were 14. This was made up of 6 points for an overall win plus 2 points for each winning rink. With the home team holding a superior shot difference just a win on one rink and a draw on another would be enough to claim the league championship.

Will Wale, Dave Woods, Andrew Wilkinson and Tom Archer took on Mike Russell, Pete Tetreault, Bill Smith and Terry Ash. The home side started well enough and at half way through their game the scores stood at seven shots to eight. Bitton then took three of the next four ends and at fifteen ends were leading by six shots. Abbrook then took the sixteenth end with five shots to bring the scores back to thirteen to fourteen. This was the last end they won and Bitton ran out comfortable winners picking up thirteen shots in the final five ends.

Abbrook Park 13 – 27 Bitton Park

Phil Irish, Jeff Sharland, Alan Sanders and Kevin Taylor played Pete Owalsky, Ryan Underhill, Dave Pope and Brian Ledger. They did not start too well and after five ends were two shots to six behind. The points difference did not change over the next four ends but Abbrook then started to turn the screw and won the next seven ends accumulating nineteen shots without reply. They were now holding a twenty three shot to ten lead going in to the seventeenth end. Bitton were not going to lie down without a fight and won three of the next four ends bringing the scores closer but were still seven shots down going in to the last end.

Abbrook Park 25 – 17 Bitton Park

Les Woodger, Jim Preston, Rob Horrell and Norrie Wilson took on a strong Bitton rink in Adrian Roberts, Phil Bucknall, T Coombes and Michael Freer-Coombes. They had their work cut out from the start, finding themselves three shots to ten down after nine ends. They then picked up three shots on the next end and made the score more respectable but this was all Bitton needed to jolt them on again. Unfortunately Abbrook could only win two more of the second eleven ends and Bitton came out as comfortable winners.

Abbrook Park 10 – 28 Bitton Park

 Nigel Coombes, Dave Schooling, Brian Lawrence and Tony Sandelance were again up against a strong, experienced Bitton side in John Wise, Dave Williamson, Kenny Lenton and Terry Evans and this was going to be a tight game. This proved to be true and the scores were tight through-out, swinging either way, end after end. Abbrook were holding a two shot lead going in to the last end of the game and with Abbrook winning one rink and losing on the other two it was a last end shoot-out to determinine who were to be champions. With the last two bowls of the match being played by Terry Evans from Bitton and the very last from Abbrook’s Tony Sandelance it was a nail biter. With the twenty-four players from the other three rinks watching on plus at least fifty other spectators the whole season came down to these last two bowls, no pressure!! Terry came in with his last bowl and gave Bitton 3 shots which was enough to win the rink and league championship. Tony now had the very last wood and needed to pull off a super shot to change the situation. He bowled with some speed on the bowl into the head. He took out two of Bitton’s three holding woods leaving Bitton holding just one shot. He had just secured the championship for Abbrook under an awful lot of pressure and with lots of eyes watching on.

Abbrook Park 17 – 16 Bitton Park

Abbrook men’s club captain, Rob Horrell showed his delight at the win and securing back to back league championship’s and promotion to the Mid Devon Bowls League second division to the premier division. He was also thankful for all the support from the Abbrook members and from the men’s squad of players.

Abbrook Park 65 shots Bitton Park 88 shots

Abbrook Park 4 points Bitton Park 10 points  

 Saturday 12th August 2023 - MDL4

Our MDL4 team signed off their season as champions of division four in fine style winning their final game against a depleted Brixham St Mary at home this afternoon.

G Clark, G Walling, P Ritson, T Sandelance won 25-3.75

J Yeoman, G Wood, M Bailey, P Rae lost 7-17.25

M Cattell, B Schirn, J Coker, B Worth won 23-15.75

T Drew, M Goldsmith, B Rowe, D Wyatt won 16-15

Abbrook Park 71 shots Brixham St Mary 51.75 shots

Abbrook Park 12 points Brixham St Mary 2 points

Friday 12th August 2023 - Eclipse Challenge Cup

On a bright sunny Friday afternoon three of our ladies travelled to Brixham St Mary's Bowling Club to compete for the Eclipse Challege Cup. This is a Ladies Triples competition played in a 'Round Robin' format over three rinks for 45 minutes each rink. Our ladies had not previously competed in this competition but came home jubilant with the cup. Janet Barr, Lead, Jill McCord number two and Jean Stanley, skip, won their three games - 17-0; 5-3; 9-3; against other local clubs.

Wednesday 9th August 2023 - SDL5

Our ladies completed their programme for this season with another win, their third of the season. Marldon ladies brought a depleted team with three players short and as a consequence Abbrook were also forced to play with three players less, as per the rules. This did not deter our ladies who went on to win both rinks. So a full season completed and three wins recorded. Well done ladies!

J Hearne, C Lloyd, L Sharland won 18-14

L Rollason, S Mukherjee, J Barr won 23-15

Abbrook Park 41 shots Marldon 19 shots

Abbrook Park 10 points Marldon 0 points

Wednesday 9th August 2023 - Over 55 League

Black Wednesday for both of our Over 55 teams

“X” were up against rivals Shaldon in this home match. Abbrook Park needed a win to maintain their challenge at the top of the table. In a very tight game Shaldon emerged with seven of the eight points on offer. A bitter blow for the team but not mortal. Still three games to go.

D Schooling, D Woods, T Sandelance drew 17-17

J Yeoman, P Stanley, K Taylor lost 13-14

Abbrook Park 30 shots Shaldon 31 shots

Abbrook Park 1 point Shaldon 7 points

The “Y” team travelled to the Ipplepen mat and found the going equally tough. Ipplepen gleaning all points on offer. Again, not all is lost with two games left to play.

A Sanders, J Preston, T Archer lost 12-20

G Walling, N Coombes, P Langley lost 8-37

Ipplepen 57 shots Abbrook Park 20 shots

Ipplepen 8 points Abbrook Park 0 points

Gardening Day - Monday 7th August 2023

message from our Club Secretary Phil Stanley

It was so pleasing to see such a fantastic working party in operation today. 

 The general tidying of the garden and surrounds by weeding, strimming and four hedge trimmers on the go, was a hive of industry. It was an excellent display of teamwork in action on a nice day, resulting in many tired bodies that will sleep well tonight.

 The reward for all this effort was a choice of lunch. Either Spaghetti Bolognese, made by Carolyn Wilkinson, or Cottage Pie, made by Jean Stanley. Carey Taylor assisted in the kitchen and believe me, there was not much left over! 

 The Management Committee appreciate the amount of effort needed to make these days a success, so a very big THANK YOU to all who made such a grand effort today.

 In no particular order: 

Tom Archer, Jeff and Lin Sharland, Kevin and Carey Taylor, Will Wale, Brian Rowe, Anne Russell, Carolyn and Andrew Wilkinson, Alan Sanders, Dave Woods, Dave Schooling, Liz Rollason, Barb Lawrence, Tony Hatcliffe and Jean Stanley.

 Please forgive me if I have missed anyone out!

Sunday 6th July 2023 - County Competitions Round-Up (part four)

Updates in blue

With the county competitions well underway, now is the time to take stock of progress made thus far;

Ladies Team -

SDL Challenge - After overcoming Paignton in the first round of the competition, Abbrook have been drawn against Marina at home on Tuesday 11th July at 2:00pm. Abbrook Park beat Marina and now face Dawlish Lawn in the quarter-final. This will be played at Abbrook Park on Friday 28th July at 6:00pm. Following their fine win against Dawlish Lawn they will now face Torquay BC in the semi-final of the competition. This will take place at Abbrook Park on Thursday 17th August at 10:30am.

Grace Matthews - In the Grace Matthews, having already beaten Marina and Chudleigh our ladies will now play Bitton Park in the section final, at home on Monday 24th July 2023 at 2:00pm. Our ladies said farewell in this competition losing to Bitton Park by three rinks to two.

Ladies Majors -

In the ladies majors competitions we can report success on three fronts. In the singles, pairs and fours we have reached the out of section qualifiying stages and in all three cases are three games away from reaching the finals at Leamington Spa.

In the singles, Anne Russell will take on Liz Smerdon of Crediton in the quarter final at Madeira BC on Saturday 15th July 2023 at 10:00am. Anne lost her singles game to a very in form Liz who later that day went on to qualify for Leamington.

In the pairs, Carolyn Wilkinson and Anne Russell will play Jan Reid and Lyn Parker from United Services BC at Abbrook Park on Sunday 23rd July 2023 at 10:00am. Anne and Carol pulled through a very close game winning the match with the final shot of the game. In the afternoon their opponents were Nikki Paine and Helen Ellis of Crediton. In another very close game Anne and Carol lost out by two shots. Thus ended their campaign to reach Leamington at the semi-final stage.

In the fours, Barbara Lawrence, Carolyn Wilkinson, Anne Russell and Jean Stevens will play a team from Plymstock at Culm Vale BC on Saturday 1st July 2023 at 10:00am. Unfortunately our ladies were beaten, losing on the extra end by two shots.

Ladies Minors -

In the Over 55 pairs semi-final Carolyn Wilkinson and Anne Russell will play Jane Otieno and Isobel Burley from Newton Abbot. Anne and Carolyn beat Jane and Isobel and will now face another Newton Abbot pairing in Cath Pickett and Linda Dedman in the section final which will be played at Abbrook Park on Wednesday 26th July at 2:15pm. In the final Anne and Carol were beaten by Linda and Cath by just two shots

In the Over 55 singles, Anne Russell has reached the semi-final of the competition. There she will face Moira Webber on Wednesday 19th July at 12:30pm at Bitton Park BC. Anne beat Moira and now faces Catherine Pickett of Newton Abbot in the section five final. This will take place at Abbrook Park on Saturday 5th August 2023. Anne beat Cath in the final by ten shots and now goes forward as the Section 5 winner. Anne will now face Rosemary Perryman rom Plymouth Unity Park in the last eight of the county. This will take place at Culm Vale BC on Sunday 27th August 2023 at 10:00am.

Mens Team -

Foxlands

In the mens Foxland trophy, Abbrook Park have reached the Section Five final and will play Shaldon on Thursday 27th July at 6:00pm. The winners of the section will have a home draw to the winners of section two in the out of section quarter final. The semi-final and final will take place at Sir Francis Drake BC, Plymouth. Our men’s challenge in this year’s competition was abruptly halted at the section final stage by a very strong Shaldon team. The game was conceded at the fifteenth end with Shaldon leading overall by thirty-three shots.

Mens Majors -

Only one entrant in the mens majors in the triples. Phil Irish, Jeff Sharland and Kev Taylor who were knocked out in the quarter-final by the eventual group winners S Davies/R Bawden/R Whitlock of Shaldon.

Mens Minors -

In the Over 60 singles, we have four quarter finalists. Tom Archer, Nigel Coombes, Rob Horrell and Kev Taylor. Rob Horrell and Kev Taylor have been matched and we will therefore have at least one semi-finalist. In the quarter finals, Tom Archer was beaten by Shaun Lynch of Newton Abbot. Nigel Coombes beat Ian Ramsey of Chudleigh, and in the local derby Kev Taylor beat Rob Horrell. This guarantees an Abbrook finalist as the draw pairs Nigel against Kev in the semi-final. In the semi-final Kev Taylor beat Nigel Coombes and will now play Shaun Lynch at Newton Abbot BC on Friday 4th August 2023. In the final itself Shaun Lynch was ahead for most of the game but in the later stages Kevin started to apply some pressure and was starting to reel in his opponent until Kev had an unfortunate movement which took away his holding shot. Shaun took full advantage and never looked back.

In the unbadged pairs we have two quarter finalists, Dave Woods and Rob Horrell have a home draw to a team from Marina. Meanwhile, Jeff Sharland and Kev Taylor will be away at Newton Abbot. Both pairs from Abbrook have progressed and in the semi-finals will face M&P Vowden from Shaldon and P Hayes/P Sweet of Dawlish Marina respectively. In the semi-finals we had mixed fortunes. Dave Woods and Rob Horrell were beaten by M&P Vowden of Shaldon whilst Jeff Sharland and K Taylor beat P Sweet and P Hayes to set up a final against the Vowdens which will be played at Abbrook Park BC. This was extremely tight right up until late in the game where Shaldon were holding a number of shots with Abbrook having one to bowl. The end was conceded with six shots to Shaldon as a couple of woods had been removed from the head in the mistaken belief that all bowls had been delivered. A very unfortunate way to lose or win a final.   

In the unbadged triples quarter final we have representation in Nigel Coombes, Phil Stanley and Mike Russell who have a home draw against Bovey Tracey. Abbrook won their quarter final, and will now face M&P Vowden and B Stanley of Shaldon on Sunday July 16th at 6:00pm at home in the semi-final. In the semi-final our men battled through to set up a final against B Waitman, S Tipping and A Saunders. This will be played at Abbrook Park on Wednesday 2nd August at 6:00pm. The final itself was a very good game. Up until around the eighth end honours were even at 7-7. Abbrook then pulled away in the second half of the game winning every end to run out winners by 17-7. Out of section they will face a team from South Molton BC. This will take place at Abbrook Park on Tuesday 22nd August at 11:00am.

Mixed Competitions -

In the mixed pairs quarter finals Lynn and Jeff Sharland will be away and take on a pair from Newton Abbot. Unfortunately Jeff and Lynn were beaten in the semi-final by K&R Chappell of Starcross.

In the mixed triples we have semi-finalists in Jeff Sharland, Lynn Sharland and Kev Taylor who will play away to Cath and Dave Pickett and Trevor Voisey of Newton Abbot. More success for our Burma Star Triple who beat the Newton Abbot triple to set up a final against Bill Smith, Sue Pook and Terry Ash at Abbrook Park BC. This was an especial win for Kev Taylor as it was the win he needed to reach the thirty points required for his county badge. In the final itself our triple ran into some very stiff competition losing out to the Bitton Park team

MDL Cup and Club competitions are both at an early stage. As these progress, they will be reported upon.

Devon County, Johns Trophy

Abbrook Park continue to have representation in this competition with Anne Russell. In a three county round robin qualifier, Devon did not start particularly well drawing their first game three rinks apiece but losing on points against Warwickshire. This left Devon dependent upon the result of the next game between Warwickshire and Gloucestershire. The gods were smiling on the county as Glouestershire won the match, giving Devon a second chance. The brief then was to beat Gloucestershire by at least three rinks, preferably four, to get them to advance to the next round. The challenge was laid down and the ladies duly obliged winning by five rinks to one. Next up is the area final which pits Devon against Wiltshire on Saturday 22nd July 2023, 2:00pm at Clarence Park Bowls Club, Weston-Super-Mare. The winners will go forward to Leamington Spa for finals day. The ladies of Devon met the ladies of Wiltshire in the area final at a damp Clarence Park in Weston-Super-Mare. Wiltshire started very strongly and had the game been called off after 42 ends because of the weather, would have been the winners. However, the weather was not to intervene. Nevertheless Wiltshire continued to dominate on most of the rinks. At the fifteenth end, Devon were behind by forty five shots and it was looking game over. At this point the game changed. Wiltshires game seemed to drop and Devon found a new resolve. The score was slowly whittled down and as we reached the final ends Devon got their noses in front and finished winning the match by thirteen shots. Devon will now travel to Leamington Spa on Saturday 19th August 2023 for their semi-final and hopefully, final. Well done to Anne and the Devon Ladies.

 

Saturday 5th August 2023 - Chagford

This afternoon our visitors to the club for a mixed triples friendly were Chagford BC. The home side emerged victorius by three rinks to one.

J Barr, J Schirn, W Wale won 21-16

B Schirn, P Harris, T Drew lost 11-19

L Rollason/M Sumner, G Wood/T Wood, D Schooling won 21-8

G Clark, P Loft, B Rowe won 16-15

Abbrook Park 69 shots Chagford 58 shots

Friday 4th August 2023 - SDL2

Abbrook Park ladies recorded yet another win away to Totnes BC this morning. The eight points won whilst not assuring promotion make it pretty certain. At present they can still be overhauled by the two teams below them, but both would require to win all their remaining games with maximum points in each. Abbrook themselves have one game remaining and that is against today’s opponents at home.

B Lawrence/C Wilkinson/J Stevens won 12-28

J McCord/P Harris/J Medleycott won lost 15-8

T Bailey/J Stanley/A Russell won 11-20

Totnes 38 points Abbrook Park 56 points

Totnes 2 points Abbrook Park 8 points

Monday 1st August 2023 - MDL1

Our men played their penultimate match of the season at home to Marldon Bowls Club. Abbrook Park remain top of division one of the Mid Devon Bowls League as they have through-out the current season. They were looking for a good, strong result in this match as against a struggling Marldon but nothing is a given in lawn bowls.

 D Schooling, G Walling, P Stanley, T Sandelance won 23-14

They were involved in a tight start to their game with the scores going both ways throughout the first nine ends of the game. At nine ends Marldon held a two shot lead, Abbrook then picked up four shots in the tenth and two shots on the eleventh taking a eleven to seven shot lead. Abbrook kept up the pressure in the second half of the game picking up shots regularly and ran out comfortable winners.

W Wale, J Preston, R Milne, N Wilson won 23-20

Started well in the game and held a twelve to six shot lead after ten ends but then lost the next two ends by 3 shots, putting the score level. Abbrook then took four of the next five ends and were holding a comfortable lead by twenty-one shots to thirteen. They then took their eye off the game and dropped six shots on the next two ends allowing Marldon back in to it. The score was twenty-one shots to nineteen after nineteen ends. It then took a pep talk from the Abbrook skip, Norrie to regain their composure with two shots on the next end before dropping a shot on the final end to emerge victorious.

P Irish, J Sharland, A Sanders K Taylor won 32 -13

Had a comfortable evening starting well with a nine shot to two lead after five ends. They kept the pressure on their opponents and picked up plenty of ends by a good margin of shots holding a 23 shot to 9 lead at fifteen ends. This they maintained until the end.

A Wilkinson, D Woods, R Horrell T Archer drew 19-19

Were engaged in what proved to be a well balanced game. It started with a tied end on the first end and proved to be a reflection of the evening to come. After eight ends the scores were level at six shots apiece. Abbrook then dropped four shots on each of the next two ends to then bounce back with three shots on the eleventh end. The game swung both ways over the next four ends with the scores at thirteen shots to fifteen after sixteen ends. Abbrook then dropped another four shots in the next two ends to trail by thirteen shots to nineteen. This left Abbrook with an up-hill struggle to gain a win with just three ends to go. They kept their concentration picking up two shots on the nineteenth end and four shots in the twentieth. This was now a last end shoot-out with the scores all level at 19 shots each. This proved to be a last end of some excellent bowling from both sides, ending with a measure. It could not be determined which bowl was closest and so the game ended as it started with a tied end.

A very useful 13 points to Abbrook now putting them on 128 points in the league with one match to go against the team nearest to them, Bitton Park. This will take place at Abbrook Park on Monday 14th August, 6pm start.

Abbrook Park 97 shots Marldon 85 shots

Abbrook Park 13 points Marldon 1 point

Monday 31st July 2023 - MDL4

This evening Abbrook Park not only secured promotion but having taken 12 points from Dawlish Marina this evening have secured enough points to be promoted as champions of MDL4 with a game still to play. Well done to all the players and team captain Lionel. A great achievement.

G Clark, G Walling, P Ritson, T Sandelance lost 12-22

J Yeoman, G Wood, M Bailey, P Rae won 25-14

M Meathrel, M Cattell, J Coker, B Worth won 34-7

T Drew, B Rowe, D Wyatt, N CoombAbbrook Park 112 shots Dawlish Marina 58 points

Abbrook Park 12 points Dawlish Marina 2 points

Sunday 30th July 2023 - Charity Day

The Annual Abbrook Park Bowling Club Charity Day held this year in aid of Kingsteignton Swimming Pool was another successful day enjoyed by the members and friends.

 Thankfully, despite the poor weather forecast, it did not come to anything and the bowling continued with eight teams of pairs competing in a Round Robin event for the George Bourne Trophy. Congratulations to the winners Derek Wyatt and Nigel Coombes.

 Three Trustees of the Swimming pool gave a presentation of the popularity of the pool and the current difficulties with funding to keep the pool open and appreciated the effort being made by the Bowling Club to help.

Some rather fierce, but good natured, bidding took place during the auction and including the raffle and barbecue, initial calculations look as if we raised approximately £1,400 on the day, which could not have been achieved without the generosity of the main sponsors RD Johns, Cleaning Doctor and Club Members, with donations for the barbecue, auction and raffle. A very big THANK YOU.

After the barbecue members took part in a game of Play Your Cards Right. Wendy Coomes got so close, losing out on the turn of the last card, but the winner of £50 cash was Gordon Clark, which put a big smile on his face and made up for not winning the wine and cheese hamper in the auction.

As usual, many members helped to make the day a success by the work carried out before and on the day, both in the kitchen and at the barbecue. Many thanks for all your help.

Saturday 29th July 2023 - Kingsbridge Town

This afternoon Abbrook Park hosted a friendly against Kingsbridge Town. Everyone enjoyed the afternoon, the company and the green and look forward to next year. 

P Loft, B Rowe, J Preston won 20-13

P Harris, G Wood, W Wale drew 14-14

J Barr, P Ritson, M Meathrel lost 14-17

M Sumner, D Schooling, D Woods 24-10

Abbrook Park 72 shots Kingsbridge Town 54 shots

Friday 28th July 2023 - SDL Challenge

Our ladies welcomed Dawlish Lawn to Abbrook Park for the latest game in the SDL Challenge.

A Russell won 25-12

B Lawrence, J Stevens won 37-9

E Coombes, J Stanley, C Wilkinson won 17-14

J McCord, T Bailey, L Brooks, L Sharland won 23-13 match conceded after 19 ends

This means that the ladies have progressed to the semi-final of the competition where they will have a home draw against opponents yet to be determined.

Abbrook Park 102 shots Dawlish Marina 48 shots

Friday 28th July 2023 - SDL5

Paignton ladies were the destination this afternoon for the SDL5 ladies last away game. Our ladies signed off with an away win, their second win of the season and have now done “the double” over Paignton ladies. Ourladies complete their season’s programme at home to Marldon on Wednesday August 9th at 2:00pm

J Schirn, C Hewings, R Excel won 17-18

L Rollason, M Sumner, P Loft won 10-19

J Greenwood, C Lloyd, J Barr won 9-34

Paignton 36 shots Abbrook Park 71 shots

Paignton 0 points Abbrook Park 10 points

Thursday 27th July 2023 - Foxlands

On an evening where the Abbrook Park men travelled with hope of an upset, they were quickly brought back to earth by a strong representation from Shaldon who were in no mood to give any quarter. In this section final Abbrook were shown no mercy at home or away and the match was conceded after fifteen ends.

P Irish/J Sharland/N Wilson/K Taylor lost 12-26

A Wilkinson, R Milne, R Horrell, T Archer lost 28-9

Abrook Park 21 shots Shaldon 54 shots

Wednesday 26th July 2023 - Over 55 League

Two home games for the Over 55 teams today.

“X” played Starcross and continued their good run picking up a full eight points.

D Schooling, P Stanley, N Wilson won 19-13

J Yeoman, D Woods, T Sandelance won 23-8

Abbrook Park 42 shots Starcross 21 shots

Abbrook Park 8 points Starcross 0 points

The “Y” team had less success piking up just the 2 points.

G Walling, N Coombes, W WAle won 18-12

A Sander, J Preston, T Archer lost 7-16

Abbrook Park 25 shots Bitton Park 28 shots

Abbrook Park 2 points Bitton Park 6 points

Tuesday 25th July 2023 - MDL4

Abbrook Park’s third game in as many working days. This time at home to Torbay Country Club. Following the two games and two wins against Totnes Bowls Club, they now faced the league leaders. We are delighted to report that Abbrook made it three wins from three. This has given them a week-end haul of some 34 points and has placed them one point behind the league leaders. With two games to play Abbrook Park need just two more points to secure promotion and seven points to be promoted as champions.

G Clark, G Walling, P Ritson, T Sandelance won 38-12

D Pugh, M Cattell, J Coker, B Worth lost 8-21

J Yeoman, G Wood, M Bailey, P Rae lost 17-19

T Drew, B Rowe, D Wyatt, N Coombes won 31-13

Abbrook Park 94 shots Torbay Country Club 65 shots

Abbrook Park 10 points Torbay Country Club 4 points

Tuesday 25th July 2023 - Teignmouth Den

Tis afternoon our ladies welcomed Teignmouth Den to Abbrook Park for a friendly.

H Meager, L Rollason, P Loft won 29-10

M Sumner, J Barr, L Brooks lost 10-18

Abbrook Park 39 shots Teignmouth Den 28 shots

Monday 24th July 2023 - Tom Archer

Congratulations to our chairman Tom Archer who this afternoon was presented with his county badge at Yeovil BC. Tom becomes the tenth current member of the club to hold this prestigious achievement. Well done Tom. Regrettably, we have no photograph of this club milestone.

Monday 24th July 2023 - MDL4

After playing the men of Totnes on Friday eveing Abbrook Park men met Totnes in the return on Monday. We are happy to report that the outcome remained the same in as much as Abbrook won by three rinks to one and secured another twelve points. These results have elevated the team firmly into the promotion chase and with three games to play two against promotion rivals and all at home, Abbrook’s fate is firmly in their own hands.

G Clark, G Walling, P Ritson, T Sandelance won 30-10

J Yeoman, G Wood, M Bailey, P Rae won 21-15

D Pugh, M Cattell, J Coker, B Worth won 30-5

T Drew, B Rowe, D Wyatt, N Coombes lost 21-22

Abbrook Park 102 shots Totnes 52 shots

Abbrook Park 12 points Totnes 2 points

Monday 24th July 2023 - Grace Matthews

Abbrook Park ladies interest in this years competition ended this afternoon in a defeat by the ladies of Bitton Park by three rinks to two.

In the two wood singles, A Russell won 16-10

In the four wood singles L Sharland lost 13-21

In the pairs B Lawrence/J Stevens lost 12-18

In the triples J Barr/J Stanley/C Wilkinson lost 13-17

In the rink J McCord/L Brooks/T Bailey/J Medleycott won 25-8

Abbrook Park 2 Bitton Park 3

Sunday 23rd July 2023 - County Competitions Round-Up (part three)

Updates in blue

With the county competitions well underway, now is the time to take stock of progress made thus far;

Ladies Team -

SDL Challenge - After overcoming Paignton in the first round of the competition, Abbrook have been drawn against Marina at home on Tuesday 11th July at 2:00pm. Abbrook Park beat Marina and now face Dawlish Lawn in the quarter-final. This will be played at Abbrook Park on Friday 28th July at 6:00pm.

Grace Matthews - In the Grace Matthews, having already beaten Marina and Chudleigh our ladies will now play Bitton Park in the section final, at home on Monday 24th July 2023 at 2:00pm.

Ladies Majors -

In the ladies majors competitions we can report success on three fronts. In the singles, pairs and fours we have reached the out of section qualifiying stages and in all three cases are three games away from reaching the finals at Leamington Spa.

In the singles, Anne Russell will take on Liz Smerdon of Crediton in the quarter final at Madeira BC on Saturday 15th July 2023 at 10:00am. Anne lost her singles game to a very in form Liz Smerdon from Criditon who later that day went on to qualify for Leamington.

In the pairs, Carolyn Wilkinson and Anne Russell will play Jan Reid and Lyn Parker from United Services BC at Abbrook Park on Sunday 23rd July 2023 at 10:00am. Anne and Carol pulled through a very close game winning the match with the final shot of the game. In the afternoon their opponents were Nikki Paine and Helen Ellis of Crediton. In another very close game Anne and Carol lost out by two shots. Thus ended their campaign to reach Leamington at the semi-final stage.

In the fours, Barbara Lawrence, Carolyn Wilkinson, Anne Russell and Jean Stevens will play a team from Plymstock at Culm Vale BC on Saturday 1st July 2023 at 10:00am. Unfortunately our ladies were beaten, losing on the extra end by two shots.

Ladies Minors -

In the Over 55 pairs semi-final Carolyn Wilkinson and Anne Russell will play Jane Otieno and Isobel Burley from Newton Abbot. Anne and Carolyn beat Jane and Isobel and will now face another Newton Abbot pairing in Cath Pickett and Linda Dedman in the section final which will be played at Abbrook Park on Wednesday 26th July at 2:15pm.

In the Over 55 singles, Anne Russell has reached the semi-final of the competition. There she will face Moira Webber on Wednesday 19th July at 12:30pm at Bitton Park BC. Anne beat Moira and now faces Catherine Pickett of Newton Abbot in the section five final. This will take place at Abbrook Park on Saturday 5th August 2023.

Mens Team -

Foxlands

In the mens Foxland trophy, Abbrook Park have reached the Section Five final and will play Shaldon on Thursday 27th July at 6:00pm. The winners of the section will have a home draw to the winners of section two in the out of section quarter final. The semi-final and final will take place at Sir Francis Drake BC, Plymouth.

Mens Majors -

Only one entrant in the mens majors in the triples. Phil Irish, Jeff Sharland and Kev Taylor who were knocked out in the quarter-final by the eventual group winners S Davies/R Bawden/R Whitlock of Shaldon.

Mens Minors -

In the Over 60 singles, we have four quarter finalists. Tom Archer, Nigel Coombes, Rob Horrell and Kev Taylor. Rob Horrell and Kev Taylor have been matched and we will therefore have at least one semi-finalist. In the quarter finals, Tom Archer was beaten by Shaun Lynch of Newton Abbot. Nigel Coombes beat Ian Ramsey of Chudleigh, and in the local derby Kev Taylor beat Rob Horrell. This guarantees an Abbrook finalist as the draw pairs Nigel against Kev in the semi-final. In the semi-final Kev Taylor beat Nigel Coombes and will now play Shaun Lynch at Newton Abbot BC on Friday 4th August 2023.

In the unbadged pairs we have two quarter finalists, Dave Woods and Rob Horrell have a home draw to a team from Marina. Meanwhile, Jeff Sharland and Kev Taylor will be away at Newton Abbot. Both pairs from Abbrook have progressed and in the semi-finals will face M&P Vowden from Shaldon and P Hayes/P Sweet of Dawlish Marina respectively. In the semi-finals we had mixed fortunes. Dave Woods and Rob Horrell were beaten by M&P Vowden of Shaldon whilst Jeff Sharland and K Taylor beat P Sweet and P Hayes to set up a final against the Vowdens which will be played at Abbrook Park BC.

In the unbadged triples quarter final we have representation in Nigel Coombes, Phil Stanley and Mike Russell who have a home draw against Bovey Tracey. Abbrook won their quarter final, and will now face M&P Vowden and B Stanley of Shaldon on Sunday July 16th at 6:00pm at home in the semi-final. In the semi final our men battled through to set up a final against B Waitman, S Tipping and A Saunders. This will be played at Abbrook Park on Wednesday 2nd August at 6:00pm.

Mixed Competitions -

In the mixed pairs quarter finals Lynn and Jeff Sharland will be away and take on a pair from Newton Abbot. Unfortunately Jeff and Lynn were beaten in the semi-final by K&R Chappell of Starcross.

In the mixed triples we have semi-finalists in Jeff Sharland, Lynn Sharland and Kev Taylor who will play away to Cath and Dave Pickett and Trevor Voisey of Newton Abbot. More success for our Burma Star Triple who beat the Newton Abbot triple to set up a final against Bill Smith, Sue Pook and Terry Ash at Abbrook Park BC. This was an especial win for Kev Taylor as it was the win he needed to reach the thirty points required for his county badge.

MDL Cup and Club competitions are both at an early stage. As these progress, they will be reported upon.

Devon County, Johns Trophy

Abbrook Park continue to have representation in this competition with Anne Russell. In a three county round robin qualifier, Devon did not start particularly well drawing their first game three rinks apiece but losing on points against Warwickshire. This left Devon dependent upon the result of the next game between Warwickshire and Gloucestershire. The gods were smiling on the county as Glouestershire won the match, giving Devon a second chance. The brief then was to beat Gloucestershire by at least three rinks, preferably four, to get them to advance to the next round. The challenge was laid down and the ladies duly obliged winning by five rinks to one. Next up is the area final which pits Devon against Wiltshire on Saturday 22nd July 2023, 2:00pm at Clarence Park Bowls Club, Weston-Super-Mare. The winners will go forward to Leamington Spa for finals day. The ladies of Devon met the ladies of Wiltshire in the area final at a damp Clarence Park in Weston-Super-Mare. Wiltshire started very strongly and had the game been called off after 42 ends because of the weather, would have been the winners. However, the weather was not to intervene. Nevertheless Wiltshire continued to dominate on most of the rinks. At the fifteenth end, Devon were behind by forty five shots and it was looking game over. At this point the game changed. Wiltshires game seemed to drop and Devon found a new resolve. The score was slowly whittled down and as we reached the final ends Devon got their noses in front and finished winning the match by thirteen shots. Devon will now travel to Leamington Spa on Saturday 19th August 2023 for the their semi-final and hopefully, final. Well done to Anne and the Devon Ladies.

Saturday 22nd July 2023 - MDL1

Abbrook Park played their twelfth fixture of the season at home to Brixham on a very damp Saturday. Abbrook, standing at the top on the Mid Devon Bowls League, Division One as they have been through-out the season needed to keep up the momentum.

N Coombes, J Preston, R Milne, N Wilson won 17-15

Were engaged in a tight game which swung one way and the other through-out. The game was decided over the last two ends with the scores even after nineteen ends, Abbrook then picked-up two singles to emerge as winners.

A Wilkinson, D Woods, R Horrell, Tom Archer lost 17-20

Had a slow start being seven shots down after three ends. They then got things going during the next three ends picking up ten shots. At ten ends they were still holding the lead by 12 shots to 10. Things then got tougher with Brixham’s skip Dave Farley putting in a heroic performance with some superb bowling. They took eight of the last eleven ends.

 P Irish, J Sharland, A Sanders, K Taylor won 21-13

Started steadily and they all had a good, consistent game keeping the lead through-out. They held a twelve shot to eight lead after ten ends. During the following eleven ends two were tied, and won six of the other nine emerging as winners.

 P Stanley, D Schooling, B Lawrence, T Sandelance won 24-12

Had a good start in their game holding an eight shot to one lead after five ends. They held the lead and at ten ends led by thirteen shots to seven. Brixham cut the deficit slightly during the next five ends. Abbrook then had a good run winning five of the six final ends.

Abbrook picked up another very useful 12 points and are now in a very good position for their second succesive promotion.

Abbrook Park 79 shots Brixham 60

Abbrook Park 12 points Brixham 2 points    

Friday 21st July 2023 - MDL4

Following on from there very good away win at Newton Abbot last week, Abbrook Park were again on their travels, this time to Totnes. Another good night’s work resulted in a further twelve points towards their promotion challenge. With four games left, all of which are at home Abbrook have put themselves in a great position.

G Clark, G Walling, P Ritson, T Sandelance lost 17-11

J Yeoman, G Wood, M Meathrel, P Rae won 16-23

D Pugh, M Cattell, J Coker, B Worth won 12-16

T Drew, B Rowe, D Wyatt, N Coombes won 15-22

Totnes 60 shots Abbrook Park 72 shots

Totnes 2 points Abbrook Park 12 points

Thursday 20th July 2023 - Plymstock

Plymstock were our visitors this afternoon for a friendly fixture.

J Hearne, P Loft, P Ritson, W Wale won 33-5

L Rollason, T Drew, H Meager, D Schooling drew 22-22

J Barr, S Mukherjee, B Rowe, R Horrell lost 13-21

M Sumner, G Wood, M Meathrel, D Woods won 25-11

A bbrook Park 93 shots Plymstock 59 shots

Wednesday 19th July 2023 - Over 55

“X” Division - Abbrook travelled to Bitton Park for this weeks encounter. A good day at the office nettng the full quota of points.

M Meathrel, D Woods, R Horrell won 13-17

F Carter, M Russell, N Wilson won won 18-21

Bitton Park 31 shots Abbrook Park 38 shots

Bitton Park 0 points Abbrook Park 8 points

“Y” Division - Another away day for our Abbrook team, this time at Chudleigh returning with another successful haul of points.

A Wilkinson, A Sanders, B Lawrence won 8-28

G Clark, J Preston, T Archer lost 22-10

Chud;eigh 30 shots Abbrook Park 38 shots

Chudleigh 2 points Abbrook Park 6 points

Monday 17th July 2023 - MDL1

Abbrook needed to bounce back after their first defeats of the season in their last two games, and this evening travelled to Marldon.

P Stanley, D Schooling, B Lawrence, T Sanderlance won 26-14

Had a steady start and were just one shot behind at ten ends. They then won six ends on the trot holding a good lead by 21 shots to 12. They kept up the pressure on their opponents winning three of the last five ends.

 P Irish, J Sharland, A Sanders, K Taylor won 27-14

A good evening holding a 11 shot to 6 after ten ends. Over the next five ends the points between the two sides showed little change with Abbrook holding an 18 shot to 12 lead. On the twentieth end Abbrook picked up a very good 6 shots.

 W Wale, D Woods, AWilkinson, T Archer won 33-9

A very comfortable evening winning fourteen of their twenty-one ends.

 L Woodger, J Preston, R Milne, Norrie Wilson won 23-12

Also had a steady evening never falling behind through-out the night.  They flew off the starting line picking up 7 shots in the first three ends. At ten ends Marldon had picked up shots but Abbrook still lead at 12 shots to 7. They kept things tight over the next five ends and then turned the screw.

 Abbrook "A" took all the spoils and a very useful 14 points keeping them top of the league with just three matches to play. 

Marldon 49 shots Abbrook Park 109 shots

Marldon 0 points Abbrook Park 14 points

Monday 17th July 2023 - SDL2

A home fixture for our ladies in their SDL2 fixture against Torquay. This proved to be a very close game bot our ladies prevailed by two rinks to one.

J McCord, L Sharland, J Medleycott lost 12-13

B Lawrence, C Wilkinson, J Stevens won 20-16

P Loft, J Stanley, A Russell won 19-18

Abbrook Park 51 shots Torquay 47 shots

Abbrook Park 8 points Torquay 2 points

Thursday 13th July 2023 - MDL4

Meanwhile, our MDL4 teaam were at Newton Abbot for their return fixture. Having already taken a “full house” during the home fixture the away outcome was not decided until the final wood was delivered and a measure taken. The measure proved favourable for the away side who recorded a “full house” double over our hosts. This places the MDL4 team in a good position to strike for promotion.

G Clark, L Wheeler, G Walling, T Sandelance won 23-24

J Yeoman, G Wood, M Bailey, P Rae won 14-21

M Meathrel, M Cattell, J Coker, B Worth won 16-25

B Rowe, B Schirn, D Wyatt, N Coombes won 7-28

Newton Abbot 60 shots Abbrook Park 98 shots

Newton Abbot 0 points Abbrook Park 14 points

Thursday 13th July 2023 - MDL1

Abbrook Park’s MDL1 team travelled to Torbay Country Club still top of the division following their first defeat of the season in the last game. They were hoping to bounce back to winning ways in this return fixture after taking twelve points in the earlier fixture. However, this was not to be the case and came away empty handed, losing on all four rinks.

T Drew, J Preston, R Milne, N Wilson lost 25-14

Started their game keeping things tight and after fifteen ends were in front twelve shots to eleven. Things then went down hill from there dropping five of the last six ends.

P Irish, J Sharland, A Sanders, K Taylor lost 21-13

Were holding their own with the scores being nine shots to eight after twelve ends. They then dropped four shots on the next end and a further five shots on the eighteenth. This they were unable to recover from.

W Wale, D Woods, A Wilkinson, T Archer lost 24-16

Did not fair any better on their rink. They were behind from the start and at eleven ends trailed by five shots to eighteen. They then picked up five shots on the next end and a further shot the following end. This could have been the turning point in the game they needed but, it was not to be.

P Stanley, D Schooling, B Lawrence, R Horrell lost 26-19

A tight game for the first eighteen ends trailing by just three shots. Dropping a shot on the next end they then picked up two shots on the twentieth. With the scores now at nineteen to twenty-one, needed three shots on the last end to win. This was not to be, and they dropped a further five shots trying to gain the win.

TCBC 96 shots Abbrook Park 62 shots

TCBC 14 points Abbrook Park 0 points

Thursday 13th July 2023 - Shaldon

lAbbrook Park ladies entertained Shaldon ladies this afternoon in a triples friendly. The home side coming out on top on all three rinks.

A Russell, J Greenwod/B Lawrence won 19-10

J Hearne, J Barr, L Sharland won 24-10

J Stevens, C Wilkinson, R Excel won 19-12

Abbrook Park 59 shots Shaldon 32 shots

Wednesday 12th July 2023 - Over 55 League

Just the one match to report on this week as our “X” divisionteam were on a rest week. The “Y” team travelled to Newton Abbot this morning. The effort was worthwhile as the team snaffled all the points on offer.

G Clark, J Preston, T Archer won 13-17

G Walling, W Wale, B Lawrence won 8-15

Newton Abbot 21 shots Abbrook Park 32 shots

Newton Abbot 0 points Abbrook Park 8 points

Tuesday 11th July 2023 - SDL Challenge

Our ladies were this afternnon in action in the second round of the SDL Challenge. As Abbrook Park are sitting top of the draw they have been given the advantage of a home tie each time they progress, and having already fended of the efforts of Paignton and Chudleigh, todays opponents were Dawlish Marina. With that home advantage the ladies were again victorious winning by three rinks to one. Next up will be Dawlish Lawn in the quarter final which is due to be played by the 4th August.

Anne Russell won 22-13

B Lawrence, J Stevens won 18-13

P Harris, J Stanley, C Wilkinson lost 16-17

L Sharland, T Bailey, J McCord, J Meadleycott won 29-7

Monday 10th July 2023 - SDL2

Brixham ladies were the visitors this afternoon to Abbrook Park for their SDL2 match. Despite losing on one rink the home team took most of the spoils.

J McCord, P Harris, J Medleycott won 20-16

B Lawrence, C Wilkinson, J Stevens lost 12-15

T Bailey, J Stanley, A Russell won 25-10

Abbrook Park 57 shots Brixham 41 shots

Abbrook Park 8 points Brixham 2 points

Sunday 9th July 2023 - County Competitions Round-Up (part two)

Updates in blue

With the county competitions well underway, now is the time to take stock of progress made thus far;

Ladies Team -

SDL Challenge - After overcoming Paignton in the first round of the competition, Abbrook have been drawn against Marina at home on Tuesday 11th July at 2:00pm.

Grace Matthews - In the Grace Matthews, having already beaten Marina and Chudleigh our ladies will now play Bitton Park in the section final, at home on Monday 24th July 2023 at 2:00pm.

Ladies Majors -

In the ladies majors competitions we can report success on three fronts. In the singles, pairs and fours we have reached the out of section qualifiying stages and in all three cases are three games away from reaching the finals at Leamington Spa.

In the singles, Anne Russell will take on Liz Smerdon of Crediton in the quarter final at Madeira BC on Saturday 15th July 2023 at 10:00am.

In the pairs, Carolyn Wilkinson and Anne Russell will play Jan Reid and Lyn Parker from United Services BC at Abbrook Park on Sunday 23rd July 2023 at 10:00am.

In the fours, Barbara Lawrence, Carolyn Wilkinson, Anne Russell and Jean Stevens will play a team from Plymstock at Culm Vale BC on Saturday 1st July 2023 at 10:00am. Unfortunately our ladies were beaten, losing on the extra end by two shots.

Ladies Minors -

In the Over 55 pairs semi-final Carolyn Wilkinson and Anne Russell will play Jane Otieno and Isobel Burley from Newton Abbot. Anne and Carolyn beat Jane and Isobel and will now face another Newton Abbot pairing in Cath Pickett and Linda Dedman in the section final which will be played at Abbrook Park on Wednesday 26th July at 2:15pm.

In the Over 55 singles, Anne Russell has reached the semi-final of the competition. There she will face Moira Webber on Wednesday 19th July at 12:30pm at Bitton Park BC

Mens Team -

Foxlands

In the mens Foxland trophy, Abbrook Park have reached the Section Five final and will play Shaldon on Monday 10th July at 6:00pm. The winners of the section will have a home draw to the winners of section two in the out of section quarter final. The semi-final and final will take place at Sir Francis Drake BC, Plymouth.

Mens Majors -

Only one entrant in the mens majors in the triples. Phil Irish, Jeff Sharland and Kev Taylor who were knocked out in the quarter-final by the eventual group winners S Davies/R Bawden/R Whitlock of Shaldon.

Mens Minors -

In the Over 60 singles, we have four quarter finalists. Tom Archer, Nigel Coombes, Rob Horrell and Kev Taylor. Rob Horrell and Kev Taylor have been matched and we will therefore have at least one semi-finalist. In the quarter finals, Tom Archer was beaten by Shaun Lynch of Newton Abbot. Nigel Coombes beat Ian Ramsey of Chudleigh, and in the local derby Kev Taylor beat Rob Horrell. This guarantees an Abbrook finalist as the draw pairs Nigel against Kev in the semi-final.

In the unbadged pairs we have two quarter finalists, Dave Woods and Rob Horrell have a home draw to a team from Marina. Meanwhile, Jeff Sharland and Kev Taylor will be away at Newton Abbot. Both pairs from Abbrook have progressed and in the semi-finals will face M&P Vowden from Shaldon and P Hayes/P Sweet of Dawlish Marina respectively.

In the unbadged triples quarter final we have representation in Nigel Coombes, Phil Stanley and Mike Russell who have a home draw against Bovey Tracey. Abbrook won their quarter final, and will now face M&P Vowden and B Stanley of Shaldon on Sunday July 16th at 6:00pm at home in the semi-final.

Mixed Competitions -

In the mixed pairs quarter finals Lynn and Jeff Sharland will be away and take on a pair from Newton Abbot. Unfortunately Jeff and Lynn were beaten in the semi-final by K&R Chappell of Starcross.

In the mixed triples we have semi-finalists in Jeff Sharland, Lynn Sharland and Kev Taylor who will play away to Cath and Dave Pickett and Trevor Voisey of Newton Abbot.

MDL Cup and Club competitions are both at an early stage. As these progress, they will be reported upon.

Devon County, Johns Trophy

Abbrook Park continue to have representation in this competition with Anne Russell. In a three county round robin qualifier, Devon did not start particularly well drawing their first game three rinks apiece but losing on points against Warwickshire. This left Devon dependent upon the result of the next game between Warwickshire and Gloucestershire. The gods were smiling on the county as Glouestershire won the match, giving Devon a second chance. The brief then was to beat Gloucestershire by at least three rinks, preferably four, to get them to advance to the next round. The challenge was laid down and the ladies duly obliged winning by five rinks to one. Next up is the area final which pits Devon against Wiltshire on Saturday 22nd July 2023, 2:00pm at Clarence Park Bowls Club, Weston-Super-Mare. The winners will go forward to Leamington Spa for finals day.

Sunday 9th July 2023 - Ilsington

Ilsington were our guests this afternoon. The home side run out as comfortable winners.

E Coombes, G Clarke, D Woods, P Stanley won 18-6

J Barr, G McCord, G Walling, T Archer won 23-12

C Lloyd, P Loft, R Worth, J Preston won 21-13

J Yeoman, G Wood/T Wood, C Wilkinson, A Wilkinson won 27-9

Abbrook Park 91 shots Ilsington 40 shots

Saturday 8th July 2023 - MDL1

Abbrook’s men travelled to Stoke Fleming for a Saturday afternoon Mid Devon League match. They were meet with a very warm reception which is always welcome.

 W Wale, D Woods, A Wilkinson, Tom Archer lost 23-11

A tight game in which the visitors were never able to take the lead and at the fifteenth end trailed with the score at 10 shots to 15. The pattern of the game did not change for the last six ends losing by 12 shots.

 L Woodger, J Preston, R Milne & N Wilson lost 21-18

A good start, holding the lead up to the thirteenth end. This proved to be “unlucky for some” and Stoke Fleming picked up a three and five plus two singles which jumped them into a 17 shot to 11 lead. Abbrook held their nerve and won the next three ends taking seven shots which put them a shot in front at 18 to 17 after nineteen ends. Unfortunately Abbrook dropped the last two ends for four, losing the game by three shots.

N Coombes, P Stanley, B Lawrence, Rob Horrell lost 25-22

Again, started the game very well picking up seven of the first ten ends and leading by 14 shots to 8. Over the next five ends they were able to maintain their six shot lead. The half time cup of tea then kicked in for Stoke Fleming and their back end two players really found their form pulling off some excellent shots. They took five of the last six ends amassing thirteen shots to Abbrook’s four running out winners by three shots.

P Irish, Jeff Sharland, Alan Sanders, Kevin Taylor won 19-22

Had the best of the afternoon never behind throughout their game showing a 13 shot to 9 lead at fifteen ends. Picking up a very useful five shots on the sixteenth never looked back, winning by three shots.

The final score for the match proved to be Abbrook’s first defeat of the season by 73 shots to 79. This gave Abbrook 2 points to Stoke Fleming’s 12. After eight games out of the allotted fourteen for the season Abbrook are still sitting on the top of their league with a very healthy 89 shots but will need to get back to winning ways with the next two games away from home.  

Friday 7th July 2023 - SDL2

An afternoon at the seaside as our ladies travelled to Torquay this afternoon. Abbrook took the spoils by two rinks to one.

T Bailey, J Stanley, A Russell won 9-23

B Lawrence, A Wilkinson, J Stevens won 12-18

J McCord, P Harris, J Medleycott lost 14-11

Torquay 35 shots Abbrook Park 52 shots

Torquay 2 points Abbrook Park 8 points

Thursday 6th July 2023 - MDL1

Abbrook Park took on Shaldon on home turf in this evening’s MDL1 fixture in their eighth match of the campaign.

 P Irish, J Sharland, A Sanders, K Taylor drew 16-16

Started well winning the first seven ends, taking a 7 shot lead. The lead was cut over the next 7 ends with the score at 9 to 8 shots after fourteen ends. The game played out for the final seven ends as cat and mouse, ending in a draw.

 W Wale, D Woods, A Wilkinson, T Archer won 26-18

A very good evening with even a maximum 8 shots on the second end. After seven ends they lead by 16 shots to 3 but then took their foot off the gas allowing Shaldon to get back in the game. After fourteen ends they led 19 shots to 11. In the final seven ends of the game they won three which included an end of 5 shots.

L Woodger, J Preston, R Milne, N Wilson won 29-12

Started strongly winning six of the first seven ends and leading by 15 shots to 2. They kept their good form going over the next seven leading by 20 shots to 8. In the last seven ends they only dropped two emerging comfortable winners by 29 shots to 12.

P Stanley, D Schooling, B Lawrence, R Horrell lost 18-22

Did not start so well losing the first five ends and being 8 shots to 0 down. Keeping calm they started picking up, and after fourteen ends were in front by 15 shots to 11. They then ended the game as they started by losing the final five ends.

Abbrook Park 89 shots Shaldon 68 shots

Abbrook Park 11 points Shaldon 3 points

Abbrook now have 87 points from eight games and remain undefeated this season.

Wednesday 5th July - Over 55 League

Our “X” team were the visitors to Teignmouth Den today and came away with all the points to make ground after last weeks match.

M Meathrel, D Schooling, K Taylor won 10-17

J Yeoman, P Stanley, N Wilson won 7-26

Teognmouth Den 17 shots Abbrook Park 43 shots

Teignmouth Den 0 points Abbrook Park 8 points

The “Y” team were hosts to Dawlish Marina leaving te visitors with just two points to take home.

G Walling, J Preston, T Archer won 20-8

A Wilkinson, B Lawrence, A Sanders lost 19-20

Abbrook Park 39 shots Dawlish Marina 28 shots

Abbrook Park 6 points Dawlish Marina 2 points

Tuesday 4th July 2023 - SDL5

Our ladies second game in two days, this time at home Brixham St. Mary on what proved to be a very wet afternoon. A slight improvement on the day before.

M Sumner, C Lloyd, R Excel drew 13-13

J Greenwood, E Coombes, P Loft won 18-11

L Rollason, L Brooks, C Hewings lost 9-23

Abbrook Park 40 shots Brixham St. Mary 47 shots

Abbrook Park 3 points Brxham St. MAry 10 points

Monday 3rd July 2023 - SDL5

The first of two games on succesive days for our ladies team. Another tough match, on this occasion they were away at Bitton Park.

J Schirn, S Mukherjee, C Hewings lost 24-8

J Greenwood, C Lloyd, J Barr lost 20-14

L Rollason,J Hearne, P Loft lost 16-11

Bitton Park 60 shots Abbrook Park 33 shots

Bitton Park 10 points Abbrook Park 0 points

Sunday 2nd July 2023 - Grace Matthews

After beating Dawlish Marina in the previous round, Abbrook Ladies found themselves up against Chudleigh. A tight match eventually swung the way of the home team who won 4 rinks to 1. They will now face Bitton Park in the next round.

A Russell beat P Hale 15-11

L Sharland beat M Wilson 21-8

B Lawrence/J Stevens lost to P Smith/T Sharpe 15-16

P Harris, J Stanley, C Wilkinson beat J Wilson, N Bustin, N Webber 17-10 (after 16 ends, match conceded by Chudleigh)

L Brookes, T Bailey, J McCord, J Mdleycott beat V Moore, P Watts, B Purkiss, G Sinden 20-14

Sunday 2nd July 2023 - MDL1

Abbrook Park played their seventh league game at home against Bovey Tracey. This takes them to half way through this season's campaign.

 P Irish, J Sharland, A Sanders and K Taylor started well and kept it up leading 17 to 7 after eleven ends. Bovey then started to find their form and won the next six ends which pulled the score back

to 17 to 14 in Abbrook's favour. Abbrook then picked up a four and a one in the next two ends which stretched their lead 22 to 14 after nineteen ends. They one their rink 22 to 16.

 P Stanley, D Schooling, B Lawrence and R Horrell had a very tight game which swung to and fro up to the sixteenth end with the score standing at 9 to 11. This was the last end that Abbrook scored . With Bovey turning the screw, the score ended 9 to 20 shots.

 W Wale, D Woods, A Wilkinson and T Archer were involved in another tight game which started well for them taking an early lead. Bovey then started finding the green and won four ends on the trot which gave them a 9 to 5 shot lead after nine ends. Abbrook could not retake the lead after this point and lost their rink 17 to 19 shots.

 L Woodger, J Preston, R Milne and N Wilson had a good day on their rink. They had 11 shots on the board without response after four ends. Abbrook kept the pressure up on their opponents and built on their strong start. After twelve ends Abbrook lead by 22 shots to 3. On completion of their allotted twenty-one ends Abbrook ran out as comfortable winners with 30 shots to 10.

 Abbrook Park 78 shots Bovey Tracey 65 shots

Abbrook Park 10 points Bovey Tracey 4 points  

Saturday 1st July 2023 - Bovey Tracey

An away friendly at neighbours Bovey Tracey resulted in a win for the visitors.

L Rollason, T Wood/G Wood, D Schooling, W Wale lost 26-10

J Yeoman, P Loft, G Clark, P Stanley won 17-19

J Preston, J Barr, J Coker,B Lawrence won 20-24

M Meathrel, E Coombes, B Worth, D Woods won 7-24

Bovey Tracey 70 shots Abbrook Park 77 shots

Thursday 29th June 2023 - SDL2

This afternoon our ladies were at home to Babbacombe and recorded another impressive win in their chase to bounce straight back up to Division One.

T Bailey, J Stanley, A Russell won 17-13

B Lawrence, L Sharland, J Stevens drew 15-15

J McCord, P Harris, J Medleycott won 13-9

Abbrook Park 45 shots Babbacombe 37 shots

Abbrook Park 9 points Babbacombe 1 point

Wednesday 28th June 2023 - Over 55 League

“X” Division

Not a good day for the “X” team who lost on both rinks at home to a good Bovey Tracey team.

F Carter, M Russell, K Taylor lost 14-20

J Yeoman, D Woods, R Horrell lost 12-19

Abbrook Park 26 shots Bovey Tracey 39 shots

Abbrook Park 0 points Bovey Tracey 8 points

“Y” Division

The “Y” team did not fare much better losing overall away at Shaldon.

W Wale, J Preston, T Archer won 14-16

L Woodger, N Coombes, B Lawrence lost 23-19

Shaldon 37 shots Abbrook Park 35 shots

Shaldon 6 points Abbrook Park 2 points

Monday 26th June 2023 - MDL4

A very good away win for Abbrook Park this evening taking all fourteen points on offer at Brixham St Mary.

G Clark, M Goldsmith, P Ritson, L Wheeler won 12-22

J Yeoman, G Wood, M Bailey, P Rae won 18-20

M Meathrel, D Pugh, J Coker, B Worth won 13-18

T Drew,, B Rowe, N Coombes, D Wyatt won 17-19

Brixham St Mary 60 shots Abbrook Park 79 shots

Brixham St Mary 0 points Abbrook Park 14 points

Monday 26th June 2023 - SDL2

A convincing home win by our ladies over our visitors Paignton Torbay this afternoon.

B Lawrence, C Wilkinson, J Stevens won 39-6

T Bailey, J Stanley, A Russell won 28-10

J McCord, P Harris, J Medleycott won 21-11

Abbrook Park 88 shots Paignton Torbay 27 shots

Abbrook Park 10 points Paignton Torbay 0 points

Saturday 24th June 2023 - County Competition Round-Up

With the county competitions well underway, now is the time to take stock of progress made thus far;

Ladies Majors -

In the ladies majors competitions we can report success on three fronts. In the singles, pairs and fours we have reached the out of section qualifiying stages and in all three cases are three games away from reaching the finals at Leamington Spa.

In the singles, Anne Russell will take on Liz Smerdon of Crediton in the quarter final at Madeira BC on Friday 15th July 2023 at 10:00am.

In the pairs, Carolyn Wilkinson and Anne Russell will play Jan Reid and Lyn Parker from United Services BC at Abbrook Park on Sunday 23rd July 2023 at 10:00am.

In the fours, Barbara Lawrence, Carolyn Wilkinson, Anne Russell and Jean Stevens will play a team from Plymstock at Culm Vale BC on Saturday 1st July 2023 at 10:00am.

Ladies Minors -

In the Over 55 pairs semi-final Carolyn Wilkinson and Anne Russell will play Jane Otieno and Isobel Burley from Newton Abbot.

Mens Team -

Foxlands

In the mens Foxland trophy, Abbrook Park have reached the Section Five final and will play the winners of Shaldon or Newton Abbot. The winners of the section will have a home draw to the winners of section two in the out of section quarter final. The semi-final and final will take place at Sir Francis Drake BC, Plymouth.

Mens Majors -

Only one entrant in the mens majors in the triples. Phil Irish, Jeff Sharland and Kev Taylor who were knocked out in the quarter-final by the eventual group winners S Davies/R Bawden/R Whitlock of Shaldon.

Mens Minors -

In the Over 60 singles, we have four quarter finalists. Tom Archer, Nigel Coombes, Rob Horrell and Kev Taylor. Rob Horrell and Kev Taylor have been matched and we will therefore have at least one semi-finalist.

In the unbadged pairs we have two quarter finalists, Dave Woods and Rob Horrell have a home draw to a team from Marina. Meanwhile, Jeff Sharland and Kev Taylor will be away at Newton Abbot.

In the unbadged triples quarter final we have representation in Nigel Coombes, Phil Staney and Mike Russell who have a home draw against Bovey Tracey.

Mixed Competitions -

In the mixed pairs quarter finals Lynn and Jeff Sharland will be away and take on a pair from Newton Abbot.

In the mixed triples we have semi-finalists in Jeff Sharland, Lynn Sharland and Kev Taylor who will play away to the winner between Newton Abbot and Chudleigh.

Lots to play for, good luck to all, lets see if we can improve upon last years successes!

Friday 23rd June 2023 - MDL4

An away fixture to Torbay Country Club “D” this evening. The match carried to the final shot and whence the summing up began a draw was the result

M Meathrel, M Goldsmith, J Coker, B Worth won 17-32

J Yeoman, G Wood, M Bailey P Rae lost 21-13

G Clark, D Pugh, P Ritson, L Wheeler lost 30-16

T Drew, B Rowe, D Wyatt, N Coombes won 16-23

TCBC “D” 84 shots Abbrook Park 84 shots

TCBC “D” 7 points Abbrook Park 7 points

Friday 23rd June 2023 - SDL5

A home match against Paignton which very nearly did not happen as our opponents arrived four hours before the game was due to be played. Howvever, there were some hasty phone calls to our ladies who rallied to the cause to get the game on. Despite the unscheduled early start wour ladies were not upset by the change and emerged winners on all three rinks in a shortened game.

M Sumner, H Meager, L Brooks won 16-7

S Mukherjee, L Sharland, R Excell won 16-5

L Rollason, J Hearne, J Barr won 20-10

Abbrook Park 52 shots Paignton 22 shots

Abbrook Park 10 points Paignton 0 points

Thursday 22nd June 2023 MDL1

Abbrook Park travelled to Bitton Park for their sixth game of the campaign. This was expected to be a tough match as the home team were relegated from the premier division last season. Abbrook travelled with confidence after a great start to their season being undefeated and standing top of division one.

P Irish, J Sharland, A Sanders, K Taylor took on a strong rink of J Wise, D Lias, K Lenton and T Evans. The home rink started off well winning the first three ends taking a 7 -0 lead. Abbrook then found their way winning the next two ends with five shots on the board. They then dropped a four on the next end which gave Bitton a good lead again. Abbrook then picked up ends and stayed in the game and after fifteen ends were just one shot behind. It stayed tight but Abbrook then dropped four shots on the twentieth end and one shot on the final end. Bitton Park 23 shots Abbrook Park 16 shots

N Coombes, D Schooling, P Stanley, R Horrell took on U Previati, P Tetreault, C Crowther and T Ash and had a very good evening only dropping three ends out of the twenty-one. All four players were on top form and the home side had no answer to their great form. Bitton Park 5 shots Abbrook Park 37 shots

L Woodger, J Preston, R Milne and N Wilson faced A Roberts, P Bucknall, T Coombes and M Freer-Coombes. Abbrook found themselves ten shots down after the first three ends. This jolted them into action and started a slow revival through-out the game. At fourteen ends they found themselves down by eighteen shots to nine. Abbrook finished strongly winning six of the last seven ends but could not quite pull back from the early slow start. Bitton Park 20 shots Abbrook Park 19 shots.

W Wale, D Woods, A Wilkinson, T Archer took on S D’arcy, P Wardell, D Pope and B Ledger. This was a tight game right through to the seventeenth end where Abbrook lost the next three ends dropping eight shots. This proved to be the difference. Bitton Park 24 shots Abbrook Park 21 shots.

Bitton Park 72 shots Abbrook Park 93 shots.

Bitton Park 6 points Abbrook Park 8 points

Wednesday 21st June 2023 Over 55 League

In the X Division Abbrook Park were hosts to Kingsteignton and were in mean mood scoring a maximum

M Meathrel, D Woods, K Taylor won 25-9

M Russell, D Schooling, N Wilson won 24-10

Abbrook Park 49 shots Kingsteignton 19 shots

Abbrook Park 8 points Kingsteignton 0 points

In the Y Division almost mirrored the the “X” game. This time Kingsteignton were the hosts and were in equally mean mood.

G Clark, J Preston, T Archer drew 19-19

A Wilkinson, R Slinger, A Sanders lost 29-9

Kingsteignton 48 shots Abbrook Park 28 shots

Kingsteignton 7 points Abbrook Park 1 point

Tuesday 20th June 2023 - SDL4

A tough away match at Marldon left our ladies pointless.

J Greenwood, C Lloyd, J Barr lost 29-12

L Rollason, J Hearne, P Loft lost 20-13

S Mukherjee, L Brooks, R Excell lost 20-8

Marldon 69 shots Abbrook Park 33 shots

Marldon 10 points Abbrook Park 0 points

Monday 19th June 2023 - Foxlands

Abbrook Park met Dawlish Marina in the section five semi-final of the County Foxlands Trophy. It is played as one rink at home and one rink on the opponents green. This makes it interesting as there needs to be a communication between both greens to get updates on how each game is progressing, with the cumulative score determining the winner.

 Home:

P Irish, J Sharland, N Wilson, Kevin Taylor began well taking a good lead. Marina then started finding the green and slowly pulled the score back moving closer to Abbrook but they could not take the lead. At 17 ends the score on the board read 17 to 17 shots. Abbrook kept it tight and carried on picking up shots finally running out winners by 6 shots.

 Away

A Wilkinson, R Milne, R Horrell, Tom Archer took on a strong Marina side. They found it difficult at the start of the game on a very tricky green with some strange run’s in it, they went 8 shots to 1 down after six ends. Things then started to improve as they began to find the green and picked up shots. After 12 ends they were 4 shots behind but starting to pick up ends regularly. Abbrook kept up their pressure and took the lead for the first time after 16 ends. They kept this lead and ran out as winners by 3 shots.

Abbrook won the match by a total of 9 shots and eagerly await the winners of Shaldon or Newton Abbot in the final.

Monday 19th June 2023 - SDL2

Our ladies were the visitors to Paignton Torbay ithis afternoon for their SDL1 match. Despite losing on two rinks narrowly the other rink carried the day and Abbrook came away with the overall match win.

E Coombes, C Wilkinson, J Stevens lost 18-16

T Bailey, J Stanley, A Russell lost 17-14

J McCord, P Harris, J Medleycott won 10-29

Paignton Torbay 45 shots Abbrook Park 59 shots

Paignton Torbay 4 points Abbrook Park 6 points

Saturday 17th June 2023 - MDL1

Abbrook Park “A” travelled to Brixham for their fifth MDL game of the campaign. With four wins out of four going in to the game Abbrook were riding high as top of their league.

N Coombes, W Wale, A Wilkinson, Tom Archer won 9-27

D Schooling, Derek Wyatt, Phil Stanley, Rob Horrell lost 17-14 

L Woodger, J Preston, R Milne, N Wilson won 21-23

P Irish, Jeff Sharland, Alan Sanders, Kevin Taylor 8-34

Brixham 55 shots Abbrook Park 98 shots

Brixham 2 points Abbrook Park 12 points

 Friday 16th June 2023 - SDL2

A good win for our ladies away at Babbacombe this afternoon.

T Bailey, J Stanley, A Russell won 14-19

E Coombes, C Wilkinson, J Stevens lost 18-11

J McCord, P Harris, J Medleycott won 14-26

Thursday 15th June 2023 - MDL1

Abbrook Park were hosts to fellow promotees from division two in their MDL1 match this evening. An excellent reult enabled Abbrook to consolidate their pole postion.

P Irish, J Sharland, A Sanders, K Taylor drew 19-19

W Wale, D Woods, A Wilkinson, T Archer 24-14

L Woodger, J Preston, R Milne, N Wilson won 19-11

 D Schooling, P Stanley, B Lawrence, R Horrell won 19-14

Abbrook Park 81 shots Torbay Country Club 58 shots

Abbrook Park 13 points Torbay Country Club 1 point

Wednesday 14th June - Over 55 League

Newton Abbot was the destination for our Over 55 “X” team and an eight point haul was just the ticket to put the team back on track in their challenge for the league.

F Carter, P Stanley, K Taylor won 16-18

J Yeoman, R Horrell, N Wilson won 16-26

Newton Abbot 32 points Abbrook Park 44 points

Noewton Abbot 0 points Abbrook Park 8 points

Tuesday 13th June 2023 - Bovey Tracey

A friendly with our near neighbours ended as a draw this afternoon with 35 shots apiece.

J Schirn, P Loft, R Excell won 14-9

S Mukherjee, P Harris, J Barr won 13-9

M Sumner, J Hearne, L Brooks 8-17

Abbrook Park 35 shots Bovey Tracey 35 shots

Monday 12th June 2023 - SDL1

Four days on, and the return match against Starcross. The home team took full advantage this time running out winners on all three rinks.

B Lawrence, C Wilkinson, J Stevens lost 15-20

T Bailey, L Brooks, A Russell lost 6-25

J McCord, P Harris, J Medleycott lost 11-17

Starcross 57 shots Abbrook Park 37 shots

Starcross 10 points Abbrook Park 0 points

New Kingsteignton Community Link…

 On Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 June a total of 56 year 5 pupils from Rydon Primary School attended a taster session of Lawn Bowls at Abbrook Park Bowling Club.

 Guided by Gilly Ainsley, Bowls Devon Coach Coordinator and experienced members of the bowling club, the pupils were introduced to the sport of lawn bowls with some warming-up exercises and gradual movements into how to release a bowl to a target and the effect of the bias on the bowl.

 The pupils were then divided into red and green teams and in a series of fun sessions took it in turns to score points for their team. This created a great deal of enthusiasm, teamwork and competition from both sides with future bowlers showing potential.

 The feedback from Deputy Head, Tina Rootham, stated: “Thank you so much for the wonderful sessions you organised for our Year 5 children. They thoroughly enjoyed the experience and were buzzing when they returned to school (as were the staff...). I will pass on the club's details to the parents and hopefully there will be a few extra members for you in the future!

 I hope this is the start of a great link between Rydon and your club - it would be great to repeat it again next year”.

 Abbrook Park Bowling Club is very active club and is always looking to make new members welcome, whether experienced or new to the game. The club is keen to start a Junior section with coaching on a Saturday morning. Contact details are available on the club website:  www.abbrookparkbowlingclub.com or the Club Secretary, Phil Stanley on 01626 362236.

Thursday 8th June 2023 - SDL1

Unusually for our ladies, an evening game against Starcross. Two wildy contrasting results and one closely fought game resulted in a win for the home team.

J McCord, P Harris, J Medleycott won 17-11

L Brooks, J Hearne, A Russell lost 9-29

B Lawrence, C Wilkinson, J Stevens won 27-7

Abbrook Park 53 shots Starcross 47 shots

Abbrook Park 8 points Starcross 2 points

Wednesday 7th June 2023 - Over 55 League

Shaldon were this weeks hosts for Abbrook Park’s “X” Division League game. The home team were in mean mood and inflicted a first defeat for the team this season.

M Meathrel, D Schooling, D Woods lost 18-13

M Russell, P Stanley, N Wilson lost 19-12

Shaldon 37 shots Abbrook Park 25 shots

Shaldon 8 points Abbrook Park 0 points

Abbrook Park “Y” were at home to Ipplepen. The hosts were too strong for their visitors garnering a maximum eight points

G Walling, A Sanders, T Archer won 44-7

L Woodger, P Langley, N Coombes won 16-16

Abbrook Park 60 shots Ipplepn 21 shots

Abbrook Park 8 points Ipplepen 0 points

Tuesday 6th June 2023 - Paignton

Following the withdrawal of Paignton from this years Mid Devon League the scheduled game was played out as a friendly.

P Sore, M Cattell, J Coker, B Worth won 17-19

B Rowe, R Horrell, G Walling, P Langley lost 21-17

J Yeoman, B Schirn, M Bailey, P Rae won 14-23

T Drew, M Meathrel, P Ritson, D Wyatt lost 24-17

Paignton 76 shots Abbrook Park 76 shots

Tuesday 6th June 2023 - Teignmouth Den

Our ladies were the visitors to the “Den” at Teignmouth in a freindly match. The hosts recorded a narrow win by two shots.

M Sumner, L Rollason, J Barr won 17-19

H Meager, P Loft, L Brooks lost 18-14

Teignmouth Den 35 shots Abbrook Park 33 shots

Sunday 4th June 2023 Kingsbridge Town

An away trip to Kingsbridge was the order of the day. Our team came away with a creditable draw.

L Rollason, M Meathrel, N Wilson lost 18-11

J Schirn, T Drew, R Horrell lost 13-9

B Schirn, J Barr, P Stanley won 10-18

M Cattell, C Lloyd, T Archer won 15-18

Kingsbridge 56 shots Abbrook Park 56 shots

Saturday 3rd June 2023 - MDL1

Abbrook Park travelled to Bovey Tracey on Saturday 3rd June for their Mid Devon League match. This is their third fixture of the season after a good start picking up wins in their first two matches.

 Dave Schooling, Phil Stanley, Brian Lawrence, Rob Horrell won 19-22

Phil Irish, Alan Sanders, Jeff Sharland, Kevin Taylor lost 22-19

Les Woodger, Jim Preston, Ron Milne, Norrie Wilson lost 24-13

Will Wale, Dave Woods, Andrew Wilkinson & skip Tom Archer won 13-30

Bovey Tracey 76 shots Abbrook Park 84 shots  

Bovey Tracey 4 points Abbrook Park 10points

Friday 2nd June 2023 - SDL Challenge

The SDL Challenge threw up a match between Abbrook Park and Paignton. The match which is a knockout and is based on four matches, a singles, a pairs, a triples and a rink. The match was played at Abbrook. The home team succesfully navigated the match losing out narrowly in the singles.

A Russell lost 19-21

B Lawrence, J Stevens won 16-8

E Coombes, L Brooks, C Wilkinson, won 21-19

L Sharland, J McCord, T Bailey, J Medleycott won 30-14

Abbrook Park 85 shots Paignton 61 shots

Abbrook Park won by 3 rinks to 1

Thursday 1st June 2023 - MDL1

Abbrook Park travelled to Shaldon for their second Mid Devon League game of the season. This follows on from a good win in their first game against Stoke Fleming picking up 10 points from a possible maximum of 14 points. All four rinks were fairly tight throughout and after 15 ends across the board the result could have swung either way with 19 shots the difference in Abbrook’s favour. There already had been a tied end on one rink and a dead end on another rink. Abbrook held their position over the last 6 ends and ran out winners drawing on one rink and winning on the other three.

Les Woodger, Jim Preston, Ron Milne, Norrie Wilson drew 17-17

Phil Irish, Alan Sanders, Jeff Sharland, Jeff Sharland, Kevin Taylor won 20-23

Nigel Coombes, Dave Schooling, Brian Lawrence, Rob Horrell won 11-18

Will Wale, Dave Woods, Andrew Wilkinson & skip Tom Archer won 17-21

 Shaldon 65 shots Abbrook Park 79 shots

 Shaldon 1 point Abbrook Park 13 points

Wednesday 31st May 2023 - Interclub

The ladies Interclub Challenge started and ended today going out with a whimper to a bouyant Seaton team at Culm Vale this afternoon.

P Harris, J McCord, T Bailey, A Russell lost 6-22

B Lawrence, J Medleycott, C Wilkinson, J Stevens lost 10-25

Abbrook Park 16 Seaton 47

Wednesday 31st May 2023 - Over 55 League

With the “Y” taking a week off the “X” team took the spotlight and welcomed Buckfastleigh BC to Abbrook Park. In what proved to be some stubborn resistance from the away team the home side eventually prevailed, just, taking the match and the bulk of the points by one shot.

F Carter, D Schooling, D Woods won 16-15

J Yeoman, R Horrell, K Taylor drew 18-18

Abbrook Park 34 shots Buckfastleigh 33 shots

Abbrook Park 7 points Buckfastleigh 1 point

Tuesday 30th May 2023 - Foxlands

Abbrook men was up against The Den from Teignmouth in the Foxlands County Cup.

This is played as one rink at home and one rink away. This is an interesting format in which the result is determined by the aggregated scores and the winner with the higher amount of shots over 21 ends per rink declared the winner.

Abbrook put out their home rink of: Phil Irish, Jeff Sharland, Norrie Wilson and skip Kevin Taylor. The away rink was: Andrew Wilkinson, Ron Milne, Rob Horrell and skip Tom Archer.

Things went well on both rinks and the match was Abbrook’s win by 46 to 18 with The Den conceding at 17 ends played.

Abbrook move in to the area semi-final awaiting either Bovey Tracey or Dawlish Marina.

Monday 29th May 2023 - MDL4

Abbrook Park’s mens first test away from home at Dawlish Marina produced a worthwhile four points. However it could have been so much more with one rink losing by a solitary shot, and the match lost overall by just 5 shots.

F Carter, T Hatcliff, G Walling, P Langley lost 21-20

G Clark, M Cattell, J Coker, R Worth lost 27-8

T Drew, M Meathrel, D Wyatt won 12-17

J Yeoman, G Wood, B Rowe, P Rae won 12-22

Dawlish Marina 72 shots Abbrook Park 67 shots

Dawlish Marina 10 points Abbrook Park 4 points

Saturday 27th May 2023 - Exonia

Exonia were the vistors to Abbrook Park today. On a lovely afternoon the home team took full advantage.

J Barr, D Woods, N Coombes won 16-15

E Coombes, W Wale, A Wilkinson won 18-13

M Meathrel, J Coker, D Schooling won 21-14

C Wilkinson, J Preston, P Stanley won 22-13

Abbrook Park 77 shots Exonia 55 shots

Friday 26th May 2023 - Grace Matthews

Our ladies entertained Dawlish Marina this afternoon in the Grace Matthews and the match was called after three disciplines.

A Russell won 18-8 in the two wood singles

L Sharland won 22-6 in the four wood singles

B Lawrence, J Stevens won 20-8 in the pairs

P Harris, J Stanley, C Wilkinson 13-14 after 16 ends

L Brooks, J McCord, T Bailey, J Medleycott 10-14 after 16 ends

Thursday 25th May 2023 - Top Club

Abbrook Park men travelled to Dawlish Marina for their game in the County Bowls Top Club competition. This is played as one rink, one triple, one pairs, one single 4-wood and one single two-rink. Winning the match is taking three of the five rinks played.

In the 4-wood singles, Jeff Sharland took on Marc Baker which was played as the first to 21 shots. In what was a very tight game Jeff lost by 20 to 21 shots. In the two-wood singles Ron Milne took on Andrew Moore in another very tight game. This format is played over 21 ends. The game was nip and tuck throughout with the scores at 12 -12 after twenty ends. On the last end Ron was holding two shots with Andrew to play his final wood with which he drew shot with a very good delivery, especially under pressure.

This left Abbrook 2 – 0 down with the other three rinks still playing.

In the pairs Phil Irish and Kevin Taylor were again in a tight game but came out as winners 18 shots to 13 shots.

The triples of Dave Schooling, Phil Stanley and Norrie Wilson were up against a strong triples and could not keep up with Marina. Things were tight after the first six ends but Abbrook started slipping and they only managed to take two more ends after this losing the game by 9 shots to 21.

In the rink of Andrew Wilkinson, Alan Sanders, Rob Horrell & Tom Archer were involved in a very good, tight game which swung either way through out. They won the rink 18 shots to 16 but this was insignificant as Abbrook had lost three of the rinks and the game was already won by Marina.

Well done Marina and best wishes in the next round.

Thursday 25th May 2023 - SDL5

Our ladies started their SDL5 league campaign with a defeat at home to Bitton Park this afternoon.

J Greenwood, C lloyd, J Barr lost 10-17

J Hearne, L Rollason, P Loft lost 15-22

S Mukherjee, C Hewings, R Excell won 9-16

Abbrook Park 44 shots Bitton Park 55 shots

Abbrook Park 2 points Bitton Park 8 points

Wednesday 24th May 2023 - Over 55 League

Both teams were in action today with both recording very good away results.

“X” Division

D Schooling, M Russell, K Taylor won 12-16

M Meathrel, P Stanley, D Woods lost 17-15

Starcross 29 shots Abbrook Park 31 shots

Starcross 2 points Abbrook Park 6 points

“Y” Division

A Wilkinson, N Coombes, B Lawrence won 10-32

G Clark, J Preston, W Wale won 10-15

Bitton Park 20 shots Abbrook Park 47 shots

Bitton Park 0 points Abbrook Park 8 points

Tuesday 23rd May 2023 - Brixham

Abbrook Park ladies started life back in division two with a good win away to fellow relegation rivals Brixham.

T Bailey, J Stanley, A Russell won 13-19

B Lawrence, C Wilkinson, J Stevens won 11-24

J McCord, P Harris, J Medleycott lost 18-15

Brixham 42 shots Abbrook Park 58 shots

Brixham 2 points Abbrook Park 10 points

Sunday 21st May 2023 - Featherstone Cup

Abbrook Park played their annual challenge match away against Bitton Park for the Featherstone Cup on Sunday 21st May with six mixed rinks taking part.  

This is a challenge which came about back in 1988 between the two clubs at alternate grounds year on year.

Abbrook have now held the cup for the past four meetings and were playing to retain it. It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon enjoyed by all and played in a jovial spirit as always. Twenty-one ends played with a break at half way for tea and biscuits and of course a catch up at the end with a drinks and chat.

 The result at the end of the great afternoon was Abbrook Park 131 shots to Bitton Park's 101 shots. The cup was presented by Bitton's captain of the day, Dave to Abbrook's stalwart and founder member Gordon Clark. Gordon was one of a few workers from the clay works Watts Blake & Bearne now known as Silbeco who got together with members from Bitton Park back in 1982. This was through the workers at the docks in Teignmouth whist recievening the clay lorries from the Kingsteignton works. They challenged them to a game on their green. This gave the bug of green bowling and Abbrook Park Bowls Club came about. In 1988 the Featherstone brothers from Bitton Park put up the trophy as an annual challenge between the two clubs.

Saturday 20th May 2023 - Chagford

A visit to our Chagford brought good weather and a win for the visitors.

M Sumner/B Rowe, j Medleycott, A Wilkinson won 12-21

C Wilkinson, M Russell, P Stanley won 14-20

M Goldsmith, W Wale, L Sharland won 12-19

P Loft, T Drew, A Russell won 11-17

Chagford 49 shots Abbrook Park 77 shots

Thursday 18th May 2023 - MDL4

Our MDL4 team opened their season in real style harvesting a maximum in their first game of the season.

B Rowe, D Pugh, G Walling, P Langley won 32-10

M Meathrel, M Cattell, J Coker, B Worth won 32-7

T Drew, M Blackman, D Wyatt, N Coombes won 24-11

J Yeoman, G Wood, M Bailey, P Rae won 26-18

Abbrook Park 114 shots Newton Abbot 46 shots

Abbrook Park 14 points Newton Abbot 0 points

Wednesday 17th May 2023 - Over 55 League

Both teams were in action this week and both at home and both recording wins.

“Y” v Chudleigh

L Woodger, G Walling, T Archer won 18-11

A Wilkinson, B Lawrence, A Sanders won 21-12

Abbrook Park 39 shots Chudleigh 23 shots

Abbrook Park 8 points Chudleigh 0 points

“X” v Bitton Park

M Russell, R Horrell, N Wilson lost 10-15

J Yeoman, D Schooling, T Sandelance won 20-13

Abbrook Park 30 shots Bitton Park 28 shots

Abbrook Park 6 points Bitton Park 2 points

Sunday 14th May 2023 - Teignmouth Den

Our friendly game away to “The Den” resulted in a win for the visitors.

T Bailey D Schooling, R Milne drew 18-18

B Rowe, J Sharland/L Sharland won 13-24

D Woods, J Medleycott, P Stanley lost 15-9

J Stanley, M Bailey, T Archer won 5-26

Teignmouth Den 51 Abbrook Park 77

Saturday 13th May 2023, MDL1 - Stoke Fleming

The first game for the new MDL season was a tough start for our newly promoted team to division one of the MDL. Our opponents were Stoke Fleming who had been relegated from the premier league last season. The game did not start to brightly for Abbrook who found ourselves trailing 10 shots to 26 shots after just five ends. After ten ends there was no improvement and Stoke had extended their lead 46 shots to Abbrooks 22 and trailing on all four rinks. Things started to get better for Abbrook and they were picking up on all four rinks with the scores at fifteen ends being 51 to Abbrook and 65 to Stoke. The final six ends was the telling time and Abbrook kept up the momentum as the score line was getting tighter across all four rinks. It all came down to the final end with the scores drawing at 74 shots to each team after twenty ends.

Abbrook kept their nerve and finished the match as winners overall by 79 shots to 77 shots and winning on two rinks. A good 10 points from a possible 14 points won.

P Irish, A Sanders, J Sharland, K Taylor lost 18-20

A Wilkinson, D Woods, R Horrell, T Archer won 19-18

L Woodger, W Wale, R Milne, N Wilson lost 17-18

D Schooling, P Stanley, B Lawrence, T Sandelance won 25-21

Abbrook Park 79 shots Stoke Fleming 77 shots

Abbrook Park 10 points Stoke Fleming 4 points

Friday 12th May 2023 Ardagh

An early season friendly against Ardagh BC from Bristol resulted in a win for the home team.

L Sharland, P Stanley, J Preston, J Sharland won 25-6

D Schooling, J Barr, J Stevens won 18-8

J Medleycott, B Schirn, B Rowe, A Wilkinson lost 14-24

B Lawrence, T Hatcliff, G Walling, B Lawrence won 27-10

H Meager, J Yeoman, B Worth, D Woods won 31-10

J McCord, C Wilkinson, M Meathrel, W Wale won 37-13

S Mukherjee, M Goldsmith, G Wood, T Archer lost 17-20

Abbrook Park 169 shots Ardagh 91 shots

Over 55 League - Wednesday 10th May 2023

Whilst the “X” team had a rest week the “Y” team had their first home game this morning against our friends from Newton Abbot. A close game was finally won by the home team who picked up six points.

G Clark, G Walling, W Wale won 22-13

J Preston, P Langley, N Coombes lost 9-14

Abbrook Park 31 shots Newton Abbot 27 shots

Abbrook Park 6 points Newton Abbot 2 points

Mens Triples 2022 - Saturday 6th May 2023

A belated 2022 club men’s triples was finally played out this morning. Four teams played out a round robin of seven ends per game. The eventual winners, having won two games and drawing the third, took the title on shot countback. Congratulations go to D Schooling, P Irish and M Russell.

Over 55 League - Wednesday 3rd May 2023

Abbrook Park “X” opened their account with a win. The defending league winners did not have it all their own way with The Den winning on one rink.

M Meathrel, P Stanley, N Wilson lost 11-18

M Russell, D Woods, R Horrell won 25-9

Abbrook Park 36 shots Teignmouth Den 27 shots

Abbrook Park 6 points Teignmouth Den 2 points

Some things don’t change and Abbrook Park “Y” opened their season where they left with another defeat.

L Woodger, J Preston, T Archer lost 12-22

A Wilkinson, B Lawrence, A Sanders lost 14-21

Dawlish Marina 43 shots Abbrook Park 26 shots

Dawlish Marina 8 points Abbrook Park 0 points

Tuesday 2nd May 2023 Bovey Tracey

Our ladies first away friendly against our friends from Bovey resulted in an away win by two rinks to one.

S Mukherjee, J Barr, J Medleycott won 13-16

J Stanley, C Wilkinson, A Russell won 6-20

B Lawrence, T Bailey, J Stevens lost 24-14

Bovey Tracey 43 Abbrook Park 50

Sunday 30th April 2023 Devon Ladies

A combined team from Abbrook Park and Bovey Tracey ladies welcomed Devon Ladies to Abbrook Park this afternoon. The away team proved a little too strong for the home side running out winners by over twenty shots. Unfortunately the score cards for the day are not available. Home team as follows;

T Wood/J Collar, G McCord, L Sharland, A Russell (Abbrook Park)

L Brooks, J Schirn, P Garris, T Bailey (Abbrook Park)

B Lawrence, S Mukherjee, L Rollason, J Stevens (Abbrook Park)

D Bailey, S Breame, C Towle, H Call (Bovey Tracey)

J Hearne, J Barr, P Loft, R Excell (Abbrook Park)

H Addey, P Carwardine, J Ridgewell, K Callard (Bovey Tracey)

Saturday 29th April 2023 Chudleigh BC

Another early season friendly, this time against near neigbours Chudleigh. Despite winning on two rinks and drawing a third, a significant defeat on the other rink was enough to give Chudleigh the match overall.

C Wilkinson, M Goldsmith, G Wood, B Lawrence lost 10-25

B Lawrence, S Mukherjee, A Wilkinson, D Woods won 18-17

M Meathrel, J Barr, J Medleycott, R Horrell won 25-22

D Schooling, L Brooks, P Stanley/J Yeoman, J Stevens drew 18-18

Abbrook Park 71 - Chudleigh 82

Friday 28th April 2023 Shaldon BC

This evening was our traditional mens curtain opener against our friends from Shaldon BC.

F Carter, N Coombes, B Schirn/B Rowe, R Horrell lost 7-22

M Meathrel, G Wood, J Preston, B Lawrence won 17-11

W Wale, J Sharland, K Taylor, won 20-13

J Yeoman, G Walling, A Wilkinson, T Archer won 17-10

L Woodger, P Sranley, D Woods, N Wilson lost 12-14

D Schooling, J Coker, A Sanders, T Sandelance Drew 12-12

Abbrook Park 85 Shaldon 82

Wednesday 26th April 2023 Bideford Victoria BC

Our second friendly of the season. This time we held the opposition to three rinks apiece but yet again lost the match on points scored.

C Lloyd, A Wilknson, J Preston, T Archer lost 14-21

J Stanley, G Wood, M Meathrel, N Wilson lost 13-21

H Meager, G Walling, D Woods, P Stanley won 20-19

M Goldsmith, J Yeoman, W Wale, J Stevens won 22-21

D Schooling, J Barr, N Coombes, R Horrell won 26-15

E Coombes. J Medleycott, B Schirn, B Lawrence lost 12-23

Abbrook Park 109 Bideford Victoria 120

Sunday 23rd April 2023 Crediton BC

Our opening friendly of the season and despite winning on four of the six rinks lost the match overall.

L Rollason, J Yeoman, N Wilson won 16-9

E Coombes, M Meathrel, A Wilkinson lost 5-24

L Sharland, P Stanley, R Horrell won 19-11

J Hearne, N Coombes, J Stevens lost 6-23

C Wilkinson, P Langley, T Sandelance won 21-10

J Barr, G Walling, J Sharland won 19-16

2022 Retrospective

As we near the start of the 2023 season I thought it timely to remind ourselves how we fared last season as a club and set some benchmarks for the coming season.

Mid Devon Bowling League

Abbrook Park “A” had a fine season and finished the campaign as champions of MDBL League Two. Consolidation of our position in Division One should be the target.

Abbrook Park “B” Despite a poor start to the season the team rallied and finished third in Division Four. The target for 2023 should be to go that one step better, promotion.

South Devon League

Abbrook Park “A” Our ladies had a difficult season last year in Division One albeit against some very strong sides. This year’s target should be to bounce straight back

Abbrook Park “B” Unfortunately our ladies had to withdraw from last season’s league Division Five. They will compete again this year and hopefully will have a sustained season.

Over 55 Leagues

The “X” team had a successful season winning their division. In the finals they were unable to progress, losing in the semi-final to the eventual winners but won the third place play-off against Babbacombe. A repeat for the league title this year?

The “Y” team, in contrast, finished bottom of their league. The only way is up guys!

County Competitions

Ladies: The most notable achievement was C Wilkinson (standing in for B Lawrence) and J Stevens who reached the Devon County Ladies Over 70 Pairs Final only to lose out in the final.

Mens: Again, too many notable achievements this past year to report upon. The most notable being K Taylor and J Sharland who reached the final of the Devon County Un-badged Pairs losing out to a team from Topsham

Overall a good year for the club to get two seconds in the county. Might be nice to get a champion this year.

Club Competitions

The singles club champions were for the ladies J McCord and for the men, R Horrell.

Finally,

Congratulations to B Lawrence, C Wilkinson and T Archer who have all earnt their County Badges this season.

Friday 22nd September 2022 - Lampeter BC

Our final friendly of the season and the club signed off with a home defeat of some magnitude. It was our visitors second game of their tour and they more than made up for a narrow defeat to Exonia yesterday. The game was followed by by a meal of ham and egg and chips alongside copious quantities of ale.

J Stanley, T Drew, M Russell, I Brooks lost 11-32

J Barr, J Greenwood, G Wood, N Wilson lost 11-22

M Meathrel, M Busby, D Woods, A Wilkinson won 23-14

L Brooks, T Hatcliff, B Rowe, T Archer drew 17-17

J McCord, G Clark, J Medleycott, J Preston lost 15-20

P Harris, G Walling, N Coombes, R Horrell lost 16-18

Abbrook Park 93 shots Lampeter 123 shots

Thursday 21st September 2022 - Crediton BC

Our final away friendly of the season on a pleasant autumnal afternoon. In the reverse fixture way back in April this year the home team were victorious, and so it was today despite the away team winning on three and drawing one of the six rinks.

J Stanley, M Meathrel, G Wood lost 19-12

J McCord, M Busby, T Archer drew 12-12

C Wilkinson, M Russell, N Wilson won 11-17

R Rundle, J Medleycott, R Horrell won 13-16

J Barr, B Rowe, J Preston lost 26-9

G Clark, A Russell, A Wilkinson won 14-21

Crediton 95 shots Abbrook Park 87 shots

Monday 18th September 2022 - Williton BC

Touring team Williton BC’s first stop on their tour of the Torbay area found themselves at Abbrook Park BC. The hosts were not in generous mood winning on four rinks. A cream tea was taken at the half way point and the drink and conversation flowed throughout. We wish Williton a good week for the rest of their tour.

G Clark, N Coombes, J Sharland won 31-10

M Russell, M Meathrel, J Preston won 22-9

M Busby, L Sharland, A Wilkinson lost 12-26

J Medleycott, G Wood, D Woods won 20-16

T Drew, C Wilkinson, R Horrell won 29-10

J Greenwood, P Law, N Wilson lost 10-18

Abbrook Park 124 shots Williton 89 shots

Saturday 17th September 2022 - Exonia BC

Abbrook Park BC travelled to Exonia BC for a return friendly on Saturday afternoon. In the match at Abbrook Park earlier in the season the hosts ran out the winners by 9 shots overall. This time Exonia gained some revenge winning by 80 shots to 67.

L Rollason, M Russell, R Milne lost 26-19

P Law, A Russell, D Woods won 14-22

P Harris, J Yeoman, P Stanley lost 23-9

J Barr, J Preston, N Wilson drew 17-17

Exonia BC 80 shots Abbrook Park BC 67 shots

Over 55 and County Semi-Finals and Finals

Well its been a busy week for Abbrook Park and its members involved in several finals this week. On Wednesday our men’s Over 55 “X” team represented the club at the Over 55 Finals held at Torquay Belgrave BC. The moning semi- final paired us against Paignton BC. Unfortunatley, during the game our skip Tony Sandelance was taken ill and had to retire from the tournament. We wish Tony well and for a speedy recovery. The match itself did not go to plan for Abbrook who lost on both rinks and by 40 shots to 26. In the afternoon they faced Babbacombe BC for the third place play-off. Abbrook emerged winners with one rink taken by each team but taking the overall score by five shots 38-33.

On Saturday, there were scheduled to be two matches involving players from the club. Unfortunately, owing to a back problem, Barbara Lawrence had to withdraw from the competition and therefore concede their semi-final.

In the mens unbadged pairs, Kev Taylor and Jeff Sharland were playing at Culm Vale BC in their semi-final. In a tight and tense final end, Kev and Jeff managed to take the end from their opponents from South Molton to win their match by 20 shots to 19. In the final against a team from Topsham BC they established a strong lead only to see it whittled away. At the 19th end they were level at 16 apiece. On end 20 disaster struck. An end to forget as five shots were dropped. the final end required something special but the well was empty and they dopped another shot to lose the final by six shots. Well done guys, not the win we all hoped for but a good run nevertheless.

On Sunday, our ladies Over 70 semi-final took place at Bittton Park BC. The opposition were a team from Plympton. This should have been Barbara’s second semi-final of the week-end but as previously mentioned she had to withdraw. Carolyn Wilkinson was able to stand in for her. Carolyn and Jean (Stevens) got off to a shaky start dropping five over the first two ends, but gradually got themselves in to the game and at the halfway point were all level. They then took control of the match winning by 19 shots to 14 thus sealing their place in the final. The final itself again proved to be a bridge too far this week with our ladies well beaten by 28 shots to 10. Hard luck ladies again, not the result we were hoping for but hopefully laying down another marker for other club players to follow for next year!

Sunday 11th September 2022

Two more results from our club competitions today.

This morning we saw the club mixed triples; A Russell, M Russell, T Archer beat J McCord, L Sharland, P Irish

In the afternoon the club mixed rinks; A Russell, L Brooks, J Sharland, R Horrell beat J Barr, L Slinger, A Wilkinson, P Irish

Wednesday 7th September 2022 - Bitton Park BC

Another friendly, this time away at Bitton Park BC. The result was in stark contrast to Mondays game with Kingsbridge Town this time the victors winning on all four rinks and by a score of 88-49 shots.

Monday 5th September 2022 - Kingsbridge Town BC

A friendly against Kingsbridge Town BC resulted in a good win for the away team by 58 shots to 46.

Club Finals Week-End 2022

Results

Saturday 3rd September 2022

10:00am Mens 4 Wood Singles (WBB Rosebowl) Club Championship - 21 shots

Rob Horrell beat Tony Sandelance

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10:00am Ladies 4 Wood Pairs (Hodge Cup) - 21 ends

L Sharland, J McCord beat Pauline Harris, L Rollason

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1:00pm Presentation to Kingscare (2022 chosen charity)

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2:00pm Mens 2 Wood Singles (Bunclark Cup) - 21 shots

Tom Archer beat Tony Sandelance

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2:00pm Ladies Rinks (Hooper Cup) - 21 ends

Lesley Brooks, Joan Medleycott, Joan Greenwood, Carolyn Wilkinson beat Claire Lloyd, Jill McCord, Julia Hearne, Janice Wyatt

Sunday 4th September 2022

10:00am Mens 4 Wood Pairs (Churchward Cup) - 21 ends

Tom Archer, Geoff Walling beat Norrie Wilson, Peter Law

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10:00am Ladies 4 Wood Singles (Powesland Cup) Club Championship - 21 shots

Lin Sharland lost to Jill McCord

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2:00pm Mixed 4 Wood Pairs (Vander Cup) - 21 ends

Norrie Wilson, Jill McCord lost to Anne Russell, Mike Russell

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2:00pm Ladies 2 Wood Singles (Gale Cup) - 21 ends

Liz Rollason lost to Lin Sharland

Monday 5th September 2022

10:00am Ladies Triples (Drum Sports Trophy) - 18 ends

Lin Sharland, Julia Hearne, Lesley Brooks beat Pauline Harris, Liz Rollason, J Stanley

Friday 2nd September 2022 - Bryn Mawr

A very agreeable afternoon with our touring guests from Bryn Mawr. Six rinks were fielded, cream teas were consumed, and good conversation and laughter in the bar afterwards. The result? a win for the home team.

C Wilkinson, G Wood, R Excell/J Barr, A Wlkinson won 29 - 11

P Loft, M Meathrel, N Coombes, A Russell drew 14-14

P Harris, H Meager, I Brooks, B Worth lost 13 -15

D Woods, B Lawrence, T Archer, A Sanders won 24-19

T Drew, M Busby, J Medleycott, B Lawrence won 20 - 15

T Hatcliff, J Barr/T Bailey, M Russell, G Forrester/M Bailey lost 14 - 20

Abbrook Park 104 Bryn Mawr 85

31st August 2022 - Over 55 League

The final games of the Over League programme today and again the results reflected the seasons fortunes for both teams.

“X” Division away at Bovey Tracey was a close match with the game swinging between the teams. Abbrook finally came away with the spoils by just five shots. They have secured their place as “X” Division Champions and will now contest the finals day with the winners of the other three divisions at Torquay Belgrave BC on Wednesday 14th September 2022. Come along and support your club. Games start at 10:00am

J Yeoman, P Stanley, N Wilson lost 22-15

M Russell, B Lawrence, T Sandelance won 12-24

Bovey Tracey 34 shots Abbrook Park 39 shots

Bovey Tracey 2 points Abbrook Park 6 points

“Y” Division home to Shaldon completed a somewhat dismal season for the “Y” team with another defeat losing on both rinks.

G Walling, J Preston, T Archer lost 9-22

A Wilkinson, R Slinger, A Sanders lost 17-18

Abbrook Park 26 shots Shaldon 40 shots

Abbrook Park 0 points Shaldon 8 points

30th August 2022 - Totnes BC

Our MDL 4 team concluded their season with another win to finish third in their league. The win was somewhat fortunate as Totnes were reduced by a player on two rinks. The result of the 25% point reductions turned one losing rink into a winning one and combined with the rduction on the other, enabled Abbrook to overhaul the Totnes score. Having said that, the signs are looking very good for next year, and maybe a shot at promotion to MDL3.

B Rowe, M Busby, N Coombe, P Langley won 32-19

M Cattell, R Rundle, M Bailey, B Worth lost 15-20*

F Carter, P Law, M Meathrel, R Milne won 20-18*

D Pugh, G Wood, P Rae, W Wale lost 13-21

Abbrook Park 83 shots Totnes 78 shots

Abbrook Park 10 points Totnes 4 points

27th August 2022 - Oreston BC

This afternoon saw Abbrook Park travel to Plymouth to play a match against Oreston BC. The result of which was a win for the away team by three rinks to one.

J McCord, R Rundle, M Russell, T Archer won 11-17

P Law, J Wyatt, D Woods, R Horrell won 10-19

J Barr, R Worth, J Yeoman, N Wilson won 15-19

M Cattell, J Webber, P Stanley, A Russell lost 20-11

Oreston 56 Abbrook Park 66

24th August 2022 - Over 55 League

“X” Division - With one game left of the season Abbrook were crowned champions of the South Devon Over 55 Triples League, “X” Division by winning at Kingsteignton BC this morning. Once the league programme is complete they will compete against the winners of the three other league winners to determine the overall Over 55 champions. Finals day will take place on Wednesday 14th September 2022. The finals will be held at Torquay Belgrave BC. Well done the team.

F Carter, P Rae, K Taylor won 7 -23

M Meathrel, R Horrell, N Wilson Lost 20-8

Kingsteignton 27 shots Abbrook Park 31 shots

Kingsteignton 2 points Abbrook Park 6 points

“Y” Division -The “Y” team were also playing Kingsteignton this morning but at Abbrook Park. A good performance saw them take seven o fhte eight points on offer.

L Woodger, J Preston, T Archer drew 13-13

A Wilkinson, W Wale, A Sanders won 23-9

Abbrook Park 36 shots Kingsteignton 22 shots

Abbrook Park 7 points Kingsteognton 1 point

22nd August 2022 - Victoria BC

Newly crowned champions of MDL2 Abbrook Park, finished their league programme for 2022 at Victoria BC. With the pressure off they turned in yet another solid performance beating their hosts by 10 points to four meaning that Abbrook Park finished eleven poits clear of their nearest rivals. Well done guys. 2023 will get a lot tougher!

D Woods, J Preston, R Horrell, T Archer lost 16-10

P Irish, P Rae, J Sharland, K Taylor won 5-37

L Woodger, I Brooks, A Sanders, N Wilson won 7-28

M Russell, N Coombes, P Stanley, B Lawrence lost 15-14

Victoria 43 shots Abbrook Park 89 shots

Victoria 4 points Abbrook Park 10 points

21st August 2022 - Chudleigh BC

It must be a popular venue/match because Chudleigh had enough players for a fifth rink, which we were able to accommodate.  It was a lovely afternoon of bowling played in the sprit of camaraderie, enjoyed by all, especially in the bar afterwards.

H Meager, C Wilkinson, A Wilkinson, R Milne lost 13-14

J Hearne, M Busby, M Bailey, J Preston lost 23-27

T Bailey, G Walling, N Coombes, K Taylor won 28-9

P Harris, I Brooks, J Stevens, P Stanley won 21-14

L Brooks, J Stanley, G Wood, R Horrell won 27-11

Abbrook Park 112 shots Chdleigh 75 

19th August 2022 - Charity Day 2022 on behalf of Kingscare League of Friends

On Sunday 14th August 2022, Abbrook Park held their Charity Day 2022 on behalf of Kingscare League of Friends. Here is what our Club Secretary had to say on the day;

Good afternoon Everyone,

I know it's a bit late, but what a grand day we had for the Kingscare Charity Day last Sunday.  With the Mayor of Kingsteignton, Councillor Ron Peart, Mayoress Mrs June Peart, Town Crier Mrs Jackie Edwards and the Kingscare Ladies (Maggie Bonnell, Maggie Lucas and Jane Christie) in attendance. 

Tony Slinger won the bottle of champagne donated by Club President, Ron Slinger and Jeff Sharland's team won the Round Robin.

The Kingscare ladies gave a presentation of their work and objectives. The Auction and Raffle had many prizes donated by sponsors and members, which made them both a success.

Ther bar was kept very busy, so no-one went thirsty, although the heat played havoc with the cooling system, and everyone managed to eat their fill at the barbecue, salads and sweets.

So many people were involved in making the day such a success, but I am not going to name anyone, as I am sure to leave someone out. However, a MASSIVE THANK YOU to all involved.

We thought we would raise around £1,000, possibly match the £1,250 we raised last time. On the day it looked as if we managed £1,500, possibly £1,700, but because of the help and generosity of the members, guests and sponsors, the final figure we managed to raise is a FANTASTIC £2,500​ which will be presented to Kingscare League of Friends.

Once again, on behalf of the Management Committee, many thanks to you all, because you made it a resounding success.

Phil Stanley

Secretary

17th August 2022 - Over 55 League

Both teams were in action this week with both at home.

“X” Division were hosts to Newton Abbot and continued their good form winning by 6 points to 2.

M Meathrel, M Russell, T Sandelance lost 17-20

P Rae, P Stanley, B Lawrence won 26-15

Abbrook Park 43 shotss Newton Abbot 35 shots

Abbrook Park 6 points Newton Abbot 2 points

“Y” team were hosts to Bovey Tracey with whom the spoils were shared.

G Walling, M Busby, J Preston won 23-11

G Clark, R Rundle, P Langley lost 13-25

Abbrook Park 36 shots Bovey Tracey 36 shots

Abbrook Park 4 points Bovey Tracey 4 points

15th August 2022 - Kings BC

Tonight our MDL2 were not only promoted to MDL1 but promoted as champions following their win against Kings BC at home this evening. Before the match commenced it was known that we required one point to assure ourselves of promotion. At five ends Abbrook were leading on all four rinks and overall by 19 shots, it started to look possible and by the tenth end looked to be a done deal again leading on all four rinks with a commanding overall lead by 36 shots. One question remained. Could Abbrook finish the game as champions? This would require a “full house” of 14 points and with three rinks in the clubhouse having won their games all eyes and pressure turned to the one remaining rink. Going into the final end and in ever increasing gloom this match was all square at 18 apiece. With only the skips to play Abbrook were holding at least three shots. Their skip played a fine second wood for Kings to to be holding shot and any claims to the title this evening felt like they were slipping from our grasp. However, Tony Sandelance with his remaing wood played off a shoulder and somehow pushed onto the shot wood before dropping in for shot itself. The match was done. Abbrook had won the rink and along with it, the championship. Congratulations to Captain Rob and all the boys, champions with a game to spare.

A Wilkinson, J Preston, R Horrell, T Archer won 20-15

P Irish, G Walling, J Sharland, K Taylor won 25-8

L Woodger, I Brooks, A Sanders, N Wilson won 35-8

M Russell, P Stanley, B Lawrence, T Sandelance won 19-18

Abbrook Park 99 shots Kings 49 shots

Abbrook Park 14 points Kings 0 points

15th August 2022 - Torquay Belgrave BC

Our ladies final game of the SDL1 season and a match which has condemned them to their much expected, but unwanted, relegation. Having said that our ladies again have continued to maintain their recent improvements winning on two of the three rinks but still losing the match overall. This augurs well for an immediate return back to SDL1 in 2024.

P Harris, J Stanley, A Russell won 18-11

J McCord, C Wilkinson, J Stevens won 21-9

M Sumner, J Hearne, R Excell lost 6-29

Abbrook Park 45 shots Torquay Belgrave 49 shots

Abbrook Park 4 points Torquay Belgrave 6 points

11th August 2022 - Brixham Furzeham

A second game in two days for our ladies SDL team and another away match, this time at Brixham Furzeham. Whilst this game finished in yet another defeat for our ladies there were encouraging signs as they won on two of the three rinks.

B Lawrence, C Wilkinson, J Stevens won 15-17

P Harris, J Stanley, A Russell won 16-17

M Sumner, J Hearne, L Brooks lost 29-11

Brixham 60 shots Abbrook Park 45 shots

Brixham 6 points Abbrook Park 4 points

10th August 2022 - Torbay Country Club

An improved performance from our ladies in the SDL at Torbay Country Club this afternoon winning one, drawing one but losing the third rink and the overall match by eight shots.

P Harris, J Stanley, A Russell lost 24-10

B Lawrence, C Wilkinson, J Stevens won 14-20

M Sumner, J Hearne, J McCord drew 17-17

Torbay Country Club 55 shots Abbrook Park 47 shots

Torbay Country Club 7 points Abbrook Park 3 points

10th August 2022 - Over 55 League

Both “X” and “ “Y” were in action this week and the results reflected their respective positions in the league. The “X” team had a tightly contested home match against Shaldon who are in the hunt for champions of the Division. The honours finished even a second draw in two weeks for our “X” team. The “Y” team travelled to Kings BC who were also vying to be champions of “Y” Division. Almost inevitably the game went to the home side winning on both rinks.

“X” Division

M Russell, B Lawrence, T Sandelance won 22-13

P Stanley, R Horrell, K Taylor lost 9-18

Abbrook Park 31 shots Shaldon 31 shots

Abbrook Park 4 points Shaldon 4 points

“Y” Division

A Wilkinson, W Wale, A Sanders lost 13-21

G Walling, J Preston, T Archer lost 13-18

Kings 39 shots Abbrook Park 26 shots

Kings 8 points Abbrook Park 0 points

9th August 2022 - Torbay Country Club “C”

A big test for our MDL4 team tonight following their recent run however they were unable to maintain their recent perfomances going down on two rinks drawing one and winning the other. Congratulations to Torbay Contry Club “C” who secured promotion on the back of this result.

F Carter, D Pugh, N Coombes, P Langley lost 15-17

M Cattell, G Wood, P Rae, W Wale won 22-14

R Rundle, P Law, G Walling, B Worth drew 18-18

G Clark, B Rowe, M Meathrel, R Milne lost 13-24

Abbrook Park 68 shots TCBC “C” 73 shots

Abbrook Park 3 points TCBC “C” 11 points

8th August 2022 - Newton Abbot BC

A strong performance from our MDL2 has maintained their promotion bid. With two games to go we now have a great chance to get promoted and possibly as champions. Well done guys, still work to do though.

M Russell, P Stanley, B Lawrence, T Sandelance won 31-16

A Wilkinson, J Preston, R Horrell, T Archer won 19-14

P Irish, R Milne, J Sharland, K Taylor won 23-12

L Woodger, I Brooks, A Sanders, N Wilson won 25-15

Abbrook Park 98 shots Newton Abbot 57 shots

Abbrook Park 14 points Newton Abbot 0 points

7th August 2022 - Teignmouth Den BC

A return friendly against our firends from Teignmouth Den BC which ebded in a win for the home team.

L Slinger, J Irish, P Irish, I Brooks lost 17-18

R Excell, H Meager, T Drew, D Wyatt won 22-17

G Forrester/J Barr, G Wood, B Lawrence, K Taylor won 20-15

L Brooks, T Slinger, R Worth, B Lawrence won 21-19

Abbrook Park 80 shots Teignmouth Den 69 shots.

6th August 2022 - Newton Abbot BC

A weekend game for our ladies in the SDL, but that was the only difference as our ladies were beaten once more. This time by two rinks to one and by four shots overall.

P Harris, J Stanley, A Russell won 15-12

B Lawrence, C Wilkinson, J Stevens lost 9-15

M Sumner, J Hearne, J Medleycott lost 14-15

Abbrook Park 38 shots Newton Abbot 42 shots

Abbrook Park 2 points Newton Abbot 8 points

4th August 2022 - Chudleigh BC

On a warm evening which turned very cold once the sun had gone down, Abbrook Park men played their MDL2 game against Chudleigh men. The match looked to be going Abbrook’s way despite trailing by a distance on one rink. As the game progressed Chudleigh started to reel in their hosts and by the finish was a much tighter match. The hosts however did enought to ensure the majority of the spoils.

A Wilkinson, J Preston, R Horrell, T Archer drew 19-19

P Irish, D Wyatt, J Sharland, K Taylor won 26-15

L Woodger, I Brooks, A Sanders, N Wilson won 18-16

M Russell, P Stanley, B Lawrence, T Sandelance lost 14-19

Abbrook Park 77 shots Chudleigh 69 shots

Abbrook Park 11 points Chudleigh 3 points

3rd August 2022 - Over 55 League

A rest week for our “Y” team so all the focus was on the “X” team at Buckfastleigh BC. This proved to be a tough match with each side winning a rink apiece with the overall score also being level.

M Meathrel, N Wilson, K Taylor won 13-25

P Stanley, R Horrell, B Lawrence lost 26-14

Buckfastleigh 39 shots Abbrook Park 39 shots

Buckfastleigh 4 points Abbrook Park 4 points

1st August 2022 - Bitton Park BC

At last a win for the ladies. In what has been a miserable season for our SDL1 ladies, this was a ray of light. Despite losing on two of the rinks the other carried the day and ther were able to edge out our visitors by two shots.

M Sumner, J Hearne, J Medleycott lost 16-32

B Lawrence, C Wilkinson, J Stevens lost 13-15

P Harris, J Stanley, A Russell won 24-4

Abbrook Park 53 shots Bitton Park 51 shots

Abbrook Park 6 points Bitton Park 4 points

27th July 2022 - Over 55 League

“X” Division v Starcross, Abbrook maintained their lead at the top of the division.

P Rae, N Wilson, K Taylor won 38-4

M Russell, R Horrell, T Sandelance won 19-15

Abbrook Park 57 Starcross 19

Abbrook Park 8 points Starcross 0 points

“Y” Division v Bitton Park Today’s result leaves the “Y” team firmly rooted to the bottom of the table.

M Busby, R Rundle, P Langley lost 13-18

G Clark, D Wyatt, R Slinger lost 19-23

Abbrook Park 32 shots Bitton Park 41 shots

Abbrook Park 0 points Bitton Park 8 points

26th July 2022 - TCBC D

MDL4 game this evening and the hosts exacted some revenge for their narrow defeat last week. Abbrook took the match by three rinks to one and with their recent form are now looking up the league.

D Pugh, G Wood, P Rae, W Wale won 20-15

G Clark, T Drew, R Rundle, R Milne lost 18-21

F Carter, P Law, M Meathrel, P Langley won 18-16

B Rowe, M Cattell, M Bailey, D Wyatt won 27-17

Abbrook Park 83 shots TCBC D 69 shots

Abbrook Park 12 points TCBC D 2 points

24th July 2022 - Chudleigh BC

A trip up the road to our friends from Chudleigh in this afternoons friendly match which finished two apiece on rinks with the away team edging the result by 6 shots.

J Stanley, P Sore, J Preston, R Horrell lost 13-23

A Wilkinson, T Bailey, I Brooks, T Archer won 35-13

J Hearne, G Clark R Worth, J Stevens lost 14-22

R Rundle, L Brooks, M Bailey, A Russell won 18-16

Chudleigh 74 shots Abbrook Park 80 shots

22nd July 2022 - Totnes

A third match for our MDL4 team this week. This time at Totnes BC our guys were able to come away with eleven points. Well done!

D Pugh, M Busby, M Meathrel, B Worth drew 22-22

R Rundle, G Wood, P Rae, W Wale won 18-29

M Cattell, P Law, N Coome, P Langley lost 28-19

G Clark, R Mitchell, M Bailey, D Wyatt won 19-23

Totnes 87 shots Abbrook Park 93 shots

Totnes 3 points Abbrook Park 11 points

21st July 2022 - TCBC “D”

Our MDL4 teams second game this week. After a good win against Dawlish Marina our MDL4 travelled to Torbay with high hopes. In what was an open game with the home team dominant on one rink and the away team dominant on another, the outcome of the game would fall to the other two rinks. The match win went to the final end and the points agonizingly drifted towards the home team. A close game and maybe we could have had much more.

B Rowe, P Law, N Coombes, P Langley won 16-20

R Rundle, G Wood, P Rae, W Wale won 11-26

R Mitchell, L Wheeler, J Woodbridge, D Wyatt lost 22-18

M Cattell, T Drew, R Worth, R Milne lost 28-11

TCBC D 77 shots Abbrook Park 76 shots

TCBC D 10 points Abbrook Park 4 points

21st July 2022 - Plymstock BC

A chaotic start to the game with the late withdrawal of one of Abbrook Park’s players withdrawing at very short notice which required one of the rinks converting to a triple. Once settled the match was underway in warm conditions. A nice afternoon in good company, Plymstock took the day with an overall three shot win.

J Wyatt, M Busby/R Slinger, M Russell, I Brooks lost 13-17

M Sumner, L Brooks, T Archer won 26-10

J Greenwood, P Harris, J Sharland, N Wilson won 21-17

J Hearn, G Clark, L Sharland, J Preston lost 8-27

Abbrook Park 68 shots Plymstock 71 shots

20th July 2022 - Over 55 League

Both teams were back in action again this week. The “X” team travelled to Bitton Park and in a close encounter came away with six points to consolidate their position as league leaders. The “Y” team were not so fortunate going down on both rinks against a strong Chudleigh team.

“X” team v Bitton Park

M Russell, R Horrell, N Wilson won 13-24

P Rae, B Lawrence, K Taylor lost 17-13

Bitton Park 30 shots Abbrook Park 37 shots

Bitton Park 2 points Abbrook Park 6 points

“Y” team v Chudleigh

L Woodger, D Wyatt, T Archer lost 20-15

A Wilkinson, W Wale, A Sanders lost 21-11

Chudleigh 41 shots Abbrook Park 26 shots

Chudleigh 8 points Abbrook Park 0 points

19th July 2022 - Dawlish Marina BC

Our MDL4 team continued their recent great form this evening with a very good win over Dawlish Marina BC, winning by three rinks to one.

B Rowe, N Coombe, J Woodbridge, P Langley won 21-16

M Cattell, G Wood, P Rae, W Wale won 26-15

G Clark, P Law, B Worth, R Milne won 20-15

D Pugh, T Slinger, M Bailey, D Wyatt lost 12-28

Abbrook Park 79 shots Dawlish Marina 68 shots

Abbrook Park 12 points Dawlish Marina 2 points

16th July 2022 - Kingsteignton BC

This afternoon, we made the short trip to our friends at Kingsteignton BC. On a very warm afternoon a full game was managed. At tea, it was looking distinctly like a comfortable home win with the visitors trailing by seventeen shots. However Abbrook showed more fight in the second half and reduced the overall deficit to just five shots.

R Rundle, P Irish, A Russell won 8-26

T Slinger, L Sharland, M Russell lost 19-6

L Slinger, P Harris, J Sharland lost 24-10

J Irish, R Milne, K Taylor won 12-16

Kingsteignton 63 Abbrook Park 58

14th July 2022 - Torbay Country Club “B”

This evening our MDL2 team took on the men from TCBC “B”. In the reverse fixture back on the 1st July Abbrook were beaten on three out of the four rinks and lost the match overall by twelve shots. As Country Club are one of our challengers for promotion Abbrook needed a result from this evening to consolidate our own interests in winning promotion. Country Club were a little under-powered for this return with a few players called into their team but so had Abbrook. The home team got of to a strong start and never looked back, winning on all rinks and overall by 33 shots. Promotion to MDL1 is beginning to look a possibility. Well done guys, keep up the good work.

P Irish, R Milne, J Sharland, K Taylor won 18-13

A Wilkinson, J Preston, R Horrell, T Archer won 26-19

L Woodger, D Wyatt, A Sanders, N Wilson won 18-13

M Russell, P Stanley, B Lawrence, T Sandelance won 24-15

Abbrook Park 97 shots TCBC “B” 64 shots

Abbrook Park 14 points TCBC “B” 0 points

13th July 2022 - Over 55 League

This week was a rest week for our “X” so all the focus turns to the “Y” team. Jim’s team travelled the short distance to Newton Abbot BC but unfortunately were unable to take anything from the match.

G Clark, R Rundle, R Slinger lost 33-14

M Busby, D Wyatt, P Langley lost 19-12

Newton Abbot 52 shots Abbrook Park 26 shots

Newton Abbot 8 points Abbrrok Prk 0 points.

11th July 2022 - Ladies Major Pairs Section “A” Quarter Final

Our ladies Barbara Lawrence and Jean Stevens bowed out of this years competition to T Lambert and S Evans from Honiton BC by 6 shots to 22. Hard luck ladies. Better luck next year.

11th July 2022 - Bitton Park BC

Teignmouth was the destination for tonight’s MDL2 game, Bitton Park were the opposition. An unpredictable game in which at the half way point it was hard to say who was going to win the match with just five shots separating the teams. Abbrook held on to take three of the four rinks and win the match overall.

D Woods, J Preston, R Horrell, T Archer won 13-31

L Woodger, G Walling, A Sanders, N Wilson lost 24-9

P Irish, W Wale, J Sharland, K Taylor won 22-25

M Russell, P Stanley, b Lawrence, T Sandelance won 16-25

Bitton Park 75 shots Abbrook Park 90 shots+Abbrook Park 2 points Abbrook Park 12 points

9th July 2022 - Ilsington BC

This afternoon Abbrook Park were hosts to Ilsington BC. The friendly, originally scheduled as a rinks match was reduced to a triples but nevertheless still enjoyed on a lovely warm afternoon.

J Wyatt, G Clarke, R Slinger won 23-8

P Law, P Loft, D Woods won 26-8

M Busby, J McCord, J Preston won 24-5

L Rollason, J Stanley/ P Stanley*, D Wyatt lost 8-15

*played half game each

Abbrook Park 81 Ilsington 36

7th July 2022 - Torbay Country Club “C” BC

A second game for our MDL4 team this week and another away gae as well. Following on from their very good win at Newton Abbot produced another fine dislay and had one rink not dropped five shots on their final end they would have taken their second away win within a week. A return of a win and draw on the week are a very acceptable return. Well done gentlemen, Abbrook Park are now looking up the table.

G Clark, P Law, J Woodbridge, R Milne won 13-19

F Carter, L Wheeler, M Meathrel, P Langley lost 21-17

D Prowse, G Walling, R Mitchell, D Wyatt won 17-25

B Rowe, T Slinger, P Rae, W Wale lost 22-12

TCBC “C” 73 shots Abbrook Park 73 shots

TCBC 7 points Abbrook Park 7 points

7th July 2022 - Foxlands

Abbrook Park’s interest in this year’s Foxlands Trophy finished early against a strong Newton Abbot Team. Neither the away or home team were able to apply any pressure to their oppsition and Newton Abbot emerged winners by 36 shots to 54 shots

M Russell, J Sharland, R Horrell, T Sandelance lost 18-26

P Stanley, A Sanders, N Wilson, K Taylor lost 28-18

Newton Abbot 54 shots Abbrook Park 36 shots

6th July 2022 - Over 55 League

“X” Division were the visitors to Teignmouth Den this morning and were able to snaffle all eight points despite a spirited fightback on Tony Sandelance’s rink where we crept home by two shots.

M Russell, B Lawrence, T Sandelance won 13-15

F Carter, P Stanley, N Wilson won 10-24

Teignmouth Den 23 shots Abbrook Park 39

Teignmouth Den 0 points Abbrook Park 8 points

“Y” Division were home to Dawlish Marina and ran out comfortable winners on both rinks.

L Woodger, R Slinger, J Preston won 16-8

G Walling, P Langley, A Sanders won 21-11

Abbrook Park 37 shots Dawlish Marina 19 shots

Abbrook Park 8 points Dawlish Marina 0 points

5th July 2022 - Newton Abbot BC

Tonight our men played against Newton Abbot men in their MDL4 match. We are delighted to report a first win for the team this season. There were debut’s this season for Tony Slinger and Jake Woodbridge. Well done all. Lets see if we can make it two from two when you visit Torbay Country Club on Thursday!

F Carter, G Walling, M Meathrel, P Langley won 14-29

B Rowe, G Wood, P Rae, L Wheeler lost 23-18

T Slinger, R Mitchell, M Bailey, D Wyatt lost 18-20

G Clark, P Sore, J Woodbridge, R Milne won 15-23

Newton Abbot 72 shots Abbrook Park 88 shots

Newton Abbot 4 points Abbrook Park 10 points

5th July 2022 - Kings BC

This evening saw the return match in SDL1 against the ladies of KIngs BC. Having lost the home fixture and match by two rinks to one, it could be argued that expectations were not high for Abbrook in the away match and so it proved with Abbrook returning pointless.

P Harris, J Stanley, A Russell lost 9-23

M Sumner, J Hearne, J Medleycott lost 9-28

J McCord, L Slinger, J Stevens lost 9-24

Kings BC 75 shots Abbrook Park 27 shots

Kings BC 10 points Abbrook Park 0 points

4th July 2022 - Bovey Tracey BC

A trip down the road to our friends and neighbours from Bovey Tracey BC. This was this seasons return fixture and as reported Bovey came to Abbrook and stole the win by four shots Happily for us, we were able to return the compliment beating the home side by nine shots.

J Greenwood, G Walling, I Brooks, A Russell won 12-23

M Sumner, M Russell, J Preston, P Stanley won 13-18

L Brooks, J Stanley, B Rowe, T Archer lost 18-14

J Barr, P Harris, G Wood,R Horrell lost 17-14

Bovey Tracey 60 shots Abbrook Park 69 shots

2nd July 2022 - Ladies Major Singles County Competition

Saturday saw the the next rounds of the Ladies Major Singles competition at Madeira BC. As previously reported in our Cup Round-up dated 20th June, Anne was one of two Section five qualifiers alongside fourteen other qualifiers from the other seven sections. The sixteen qualifiers were divided into two groups, “A” and “B”. The scene set, and at 10:00am the quarter final matches got underway. Anne’s quarter final opponent was Alison Yearling from The Hoe BC. The game was interrupted by a heavy shower with Anne having a comfortable lead. However, upon the resumption Alison started to chip away at Anne’s lead but never got ahead, Anne eventually winning 21-18. The semi-final pitched Anne against Liz Smerdon from Crediton. Liz is a familiar figure as she is the skip on Anne’s rink when they both represent Devon. A titanic struggle was expected but Anne played very well to emerge the winner by 21-17. Time for a quick cup of tea before going back out on to the rink to play the “B” final. This was against Gill Grantham from Plymouth Sir Francis Drake. A few years ago Anne had beaten Gill in the Ladies Unbadged final at Topsham BC in an extremely close game played in appalling conditions. This afternoon was no better and more rain ensued. There was a feeling of deja vu. However, Anne was unable to repeat her victory and despite an inspirational fly over by a Lancaster bomber, lost to a very in form Gill (who had despatched Sophie Tolchard earlier in the day) by 21-8. Congratulations to Gill and Harriet Stevens who won Group “A”. They will go on to play the County Final at Bitton Park on Saturday 20th August. Both ladies will also go as qualifiers to Leamington Spa. Hard luck Anne, you finished in the top four in the county.

2nd July 2022 - Ottery St. Mary BC

A Saturday afternoon friendly where the poor weather was just about held off. A warm welcome was given by our hosts and by the Red Arrows who were on show nearby, but that was all that was given, with Abbrook going down on all five rinks. An enjoyable afternoon nevertheless and we look forward to repaying the hospitality when Ottery visit us in August. Not sure we can oblige with the Red Arrows though!

J Hearne, G Clark, R Slinger. R Horrell lost 11-23

J Wyatt, M Busby, B Rowe, T Sandelance lost 18-20

M Meathrel, J Sandelance, M Sumner, N Wilson lost 12-20

L Brooks, P Sore, D Wyatt, T Archer lost 11-25

J McCord, P Law, I Brooks, J Preston lost 18-22

1st July 2022 - Torbay Country Club BC “B”

Game 08 of our MDL2 season. This time away at Torbay Country Club. Abbrook Park lost their second game of the season by twelve shots overall. This match was a lot closer than it first appears with Abbrook giving up fourteen shots on the 21st end which swung the game in TCBC “B”s favour.

L Woodger, I Brooks, A Sanders, N Wilson won 17-23

M Russell, G Walling, B Lawrence, T Sandelance lost 22-16

P Rae, J Preston, R Horrell, T Archer lost 26-17

A Wilkinson, P Irish, J Sharland, K Taylor lost 25-22

TCBC “B” 90 shots Abbrook Park 78

TCBC “B” 12 points Abbrook Park 2 points

1st July 2022 - Over 60 County Competition

Mike Russell has reached the semi-finals of the Section Five Over 60 singles. The semi-final itself will take place at Newton Abbot BC on Friday 15th July, time and opponent to be determined.

29th June 2022 - Over 55 League

This week we can report success for both of our Over 55 Teams

“X” Division maintained their top position in the league. Taking on the team sitting in second place got themselves a good win in a tight match which increased their overall lead in the league.

P Rae, P Stanley, K Taylor lost 13-17

M Meathrel R Horrell, T Sandelance won 22-13

Abbrook Park 35 Bovey Tracey 30

Abbrook Park 6 points Bovey Tracey 2 points

“Y” Division the “battle of the bottom two” resulted in victory for the away team taking all eight points.

G Walling, R Slinger, J Preston won 12-22

A Wilkinson, W Wale, G Sanders won 15 - 19

Shaldon 27 Abbrook Park 43

Shaldon 0 points Abbrook Park 8 points

28th June 2022 - Chudleigh BC

On a rain swept evening Abbrook Park men were the visitors to Chudleigh BC for their MDL2 league match. A pretty foul evening, Abbrook coped with the conditions better than the home team picking up another “full house” away from home. Well done guys.

L Woodger, I Brooks, A Sanders, N Wilson won 3-18

M Russell, P Stanley, B Lawrence, T Sandelance won 13-19

W Wale, J Preston, R Horrell, T Archer won 12-25

A Wilkinson, P Irish, J Sharland, K Taylor won 10-17

Chudleigh 39 shots Abbrook Park 79 shots

Chudleigh 0 points Abbrook Park 14 points

22nd June 2022 - Grace Matthews

Abbrook Park Ladies travelled to Chudleigh this evening to contest their Grace Matthews tie. Things did no go well for the visitors and whilst they battled throughout, the day was Chudleigh’s.

Two wood singles: J Hearne lost 3-18

Four wood singles: L Sharland lost 16-21

Pairs: P Harris, B Lawrence lost 18-21

Triples: J Stanley, C Wilkinson, A Russell lost 15-21

Rink: M Sumner, J McCord, R Excell, J Medleycott lost 9-25

Chudleigh won 5-0

22nd June 2022 - Over 55 League

Two games, one home, one away both against Kingsteignton. Both won by the home team. Maybe the differing surfaces were instrumental in today’s results? We might know the answer on the return fixtures.

The “X” team were at home.

M Meathrel, R Horrell, N Wilson won 36-13

F Carter, M Russell, B Lawrence won 18-8

Abbrook Park 54 shots Kingsteignton 21 shots

Abbrook Park 8 points Kingsteignton 0 points

The “Y” team were away

A Wilkinson, W Wale, A Sanders lost 10-23

L Woodger, J Preston, T Archer lost 7-27

Kingsteignton 5 shots Abbrook Park 17 shots

Kingsteignton 8 points Abbrook Park 0 points

21st June 2022 - Bitton Park BC

Abbrook men were at home to Bitton Park men in our MDL2 meeting this evening. On what appeared a straight forward win with maximum points in the bag was disrupted on one rink by a spirited fighting display by the opposition who took three shots on the final end and to win the game by one shot, denying us the opportunity of a “full house”.

D Woods, J Preston, R Milne, T Archer lost 18-19

A Wilkinson, P Irish, J Sharland, K Taylor won 30-13

L Woodger, I Brooks, A Sanders, N Wilson won 26-14

M Russell, P Stanley, B Lawrence, R Horrell won 43-6

Abbrook Park 117 shots Bitton Park 52 shots

Abbrook Park 12 points Bitton Park 2 points

20th June 2022 - Cup round-up

As we are now two months into the season it is time to look at how Abbrook Park BC players are faring so far in this year’s competitions. Our club competitions and the MDL Cup are still in their early stages and are not reported here but if you wish, you can see the progress of our club competition on the relevant website page. So this report will focus on individual’s county progress.

County competitions are divided into two categories; Major and Minor competition. The difference between the two? If you do well in the Majors your finals will take place at the home of Bowls England, Leamington Spa. The Minor competitions are confined to the county.

So, to the report:

Major Competition. We are delighted to announce that some of our ladies have had a good start to their majors winning their section. (for our newer members, the County is divided into eight sections and Abbrook Park compete in Section 5). In the Major Ladies Singles Anne Russell won her group and will play her last sixteen match at Madeira BC. In the Major Ladies Pairs Barbara Lawrence and Jean Stevens won their group and also go forward to the last sixteen playing their next match at Crediton BC. Well done to you all on your progress so far.

Regrettably, in the Minor competitions most of our ladies have already bowed out of this years competitions.

Now, the men. Sadly we had no entrants for the Men’s Major competitions at all this year. So the rest of this report is confined to the Minor Competitions.

I am happy to report that Abbrook have had a good start to the Minors and, at the time of writing, are competing on several fronts. In the Mens Over 60 Singles we have three quarter finalists in Norrie Wilson, Mike Russell and Rob Horrell. Well done guys. They have all been drawn apart, although all away so, could we have three semi-finalists?

In the Unbadged Pairs again we have three quarter finalists in Jeff Sharland/Kev Taylor, Tom Archer/Rob Horrell and Andrew Wilkinson/Brian Lawrence. In that draw J Sharland/K Taylor will play T Archer/R Horrell and so we will have at least one semi-finalist representing the club, who knows perhaps two?

In the Unbadged Triples we have ANO/Rob Horrell/Tony Sandelance and Ian Brooks/Jeff Sharland/Kev Taylor still in the competition whilst Phil Irish/Phil Stanley/Mike Russell are already through to the quarter final.

In the Mixed competitions we have not fared so well with only Carol Wilkinson/Andrew Wilkinson still standing in the Mixed Pairs.

As reported previously Anne Russell has once more been selected to represent the County in their defence of the Johns Trophy. Last Saturday they got of to a good start winning five rinks out of six and by 27 shots overall against Warwickshire at Olveston Bowls Club, Bristol. In the next round they will face Cornwall at a venue yet to be announced.

20th June 2022 - Hemel Hempstead BC

Hemel Hempstead were our touring visitors this afternoon. Having only just travelled down and a quick change at the hotel our visitors were no sooner on our green ready to play. The result may reflect this rush as Abbrook run out the winners by three rinks and one drawn rink.

J Hearne, I Brooks, J Stanley, M Meathrel won 16-12

D Pugh, C Wilkinson, J Preston, A Wilkinson drew 16-16

G Clark, G Forrester/J Barr, J Wyatt, T Archer won 20-16

R Rundle, L Brooks, J Medleycott, R Horrell won 22-13

Abbrook Park 74 Hemel Hempstead 57

17th June 2022 - Newton Abbot BC

This evening our ladies were back in action in the SDL1 League against local rivals Newton Abbot BC. Yet again our ladies were unable to force a result and despite only winning on one rink came very close to taking the match ultimately losing the game by two shots.

M Sumner, J Hearne, J Medleycott won 11-17

P Harris, J Stanley, A Russell lost 19-18

B Lawrence, L Sharland, C Wilkinson lost 20-13

Newton Abbot 50 shots Abbrook Park 48

Newton Abbot 8 points Abbrook Park 2 points

17th June 2022 - Top Club

This evening Abbrook Park entertained our friends from Shaldon BC in this year’s Top Club Competition. This is a national competition, played on five rinks with differing disciplines, with the winner being the first to win three rinks out of the five. The match started ominously with the two wood singles going to Shaldon. However, Abbrook rallied winning the four wood singles. Then Shaldon returned a result in the pairs before Abbrook again levelled in the triples. Alas, the outcome was never in doubt as Shaldon already had a good lead on the final rink which was enough to take the victory. Well done Shaldon, good luck in the next round. Hard luck Abbrook maybe it will be closer if we meet again next year. Normally I don’t put the opposing players names, so here is an exception.

Two wood singles: A Wilkinson lost to R Whitlock 7-21

Four wood singles: J Sharland won against J Webber 21-13

Pairs: N Wilson, K Taylor lost to D Ferris, G Foster 9-34

Triples: I Brooks, P Stanley, R Horrell won against K Fortune, S Haywood, R Bawden 20-15

Rink: L Woodger, P Irish, B Lawrence, T Archer lost to J Kingshott, D Haywood, L Fisher, G Sanders 15-24

Abbrook Park 72 shots Shaldon 107 shots

Abbrook Park 2 rinks Shaldon 3 rinks

16th June 2022 - Ladies County Major Singles

This morning at Newton Abbot BC Anne Russell qualified for the last 16 of the Ladies Singles beating Julia Barnes 21-20 in a very good match. Anne will now play at Madeira BC on Saturday 2nd July against one of the qualifiers from Section 8.

16th June 2022 - Over 55 League

A mixed day for our Over 55 teams. The “X” team travelled to Newton Abbot and returned with A “full house”.

P Rae, M Meathrel, K Taylor won 9-36

J Yeoman, P Stanley, N Wilson won 3-38

Newton Abbot 12 shots Abbrook Park 74 shots

Newton Abbot 0 points Abbrook Park 8 points

Meanwhile, the “Y” were a little careless leaving all their points behind at Bovey Tracey.

M Busby, G Walling,R Slinger lost 11-20

G Clark, R Rundle, P Langley lost 7-21

Bovey Tracey 41 shots Abbrook Park 18 shots

Bovey Tracey 8 points Abbrook Park 0 points

13th June 2022 - Brixham BC

It was more toil for our ladies this afternoon who entertained Brixham BC. Again the match return was poor with Abbrook winning the solitary rink and losing the match overall. The only way here on in is up!

P Harris, J Stanley, A Russell lost 13-24

B Lawrence, C Wilkinson, J Stephens lost 18-20

M Sumner, J Hearne, J Medleycott won 17-12

Abbrook Park 45 shots Brixham 59 shots

Abbrook Park 2 points Brixham 8 points

10th June 2022 - Kings BC

Tonight our MDL2 team were the visitors to Kings BC and achieved a “full house” winning on all four rinks. With calls upon a number of England players for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, Kings have had to shuffle the pack and call upon some B team players leaving their team a little short. Nevertheless still an impressinve result away from home.Well done guys!

D Woods, J Preston,R Milne, T Archer won 10-26

A Wilkinson, P Irish, J Sharland, K Taylor won 20-23

L Woodger, I Brooks, A Sanders, N Wilson won 15-18

M Russell, B Lawrence, P Stanley, R Horrell won 16-33

Kings BC 61 shots Abbrook Park 100 shots

Kings 0 points Abbrook Park 14 points

9th June 2022 - Babbacombe BC

The MDL 4 return match with Babbacombe BC uncannily returned the same result as our previous meeting with Abbrook winning on one rink and drawing one other, but losing the match overall by eighteen shots.

J Yeoman, G Wood, P Rae, W Wale drew 18-18

M Cattell, T Hearne, R Mitchell, L Wheeler lost 10-27

G Clark, R Rundle, G Walling, R Milne lost 15-23

F Carter, B Rowe, M Meathrel, R Worth won 19-12

Abbrook Park 62 shots Babbacombe 80 shots

Abbrook Park 3 points Babbacombe 11 points

8th June 2022 - Over 55 League

Both teams were in action this week. The “Y” team were hosts to the team from Kings and despite a good performance on one rink were no match for the other rink losing the match by four shots.

L Woodger, J Preston, T Archer won 20-12

A Wilkinson, W Wale, A Sanders lost 16-28

Abbrook Park 36 shots Kings 40 shots

Abbrook Park 2 points Kings 6 points

The “X” team, who were away at Shaldon, fared a little better taking the match by seven shots.

F Carter, M Russell, R Horrell lost 13-16

J Yeoman, B Lawrence, T Sandelance won 19-13

Shaldon 25 shots Abbrook Park 32

Shaldon 2 points Abbrook Park 6 points

7th June 2022 - Johns Trophy

Anne Russell has once again been invited to represent Devon in the Johns Trophy competition. This was the trophy which Anne helped Devon win last year. Well done and good luck!

7th June 2022 - Teignmouth Den BC

Abbrook Park were the visitors to Teignmouth Den for our mixed rink friendly this afternoon. On a pleasant afternoon for bowling, played in very good humour, Abbrook were to take the spoils of the day winning by three rinks to one.

A Wilkinson, J Wyatt, J Medleycott, P Stanley won 9-25

J Barr, R Rundle, B Rowe, T Sandelance won 8-30

M Russell, M Sumner, J Preston, C Wilkinson lost 28-18

J McCord, G Walling, J Stanley, T Archer won 20-22

6th June 2022 - Dawlish Marina BC

Our fourth MDL2 game of the season brought about our first defeat. The venue was Dawlish and our return match against Marina. Having beaten Marina in a very close game at Abbrook by ten points to four, the share of the points went the other way.

R Milne, I Brooks, A Sanders, N Wilson lost 26-7

D Woods, J Preston, R Horrell, T Archer won 16-19

A Wilkinson, P Irish, J Sharland, K Taylor won 8-26

M Russell, G Walling, P Stanley, T Sandelance lost 22-17

Dawlish Marina 82 shots Abbrook Park 69 shots

Dawlish Marina 10 points Abbrook Park 4 points

2nd June 2022 - Bovey Tracey BC

This afternoon we welcomed our friends from Bovey Tracey for a friendly match. On a convivial afternoon Bovey just managed to take the honours by four shots.

D Woods, G Clark, G Walling, R Horrell won 25-10

J Stanley, M Busby, P Harris, Brian Lawrence lost 9-28

C Wilkinson, J Wyatt, R Excell, P Stanley lost 14-24

R Slinger, J Medleycott, Barb Lawrence, A Wilkinson won 22-12

Abbrook Park BC 70 shots Bovey Tracey BC 74 shots

1st June 2022 - Sidmouth BC

The second round of the Interclub tournament at neutral Culm Vale BC with Sidmouth BC as the opposition. Abbrook got of to a very good start and after 5 ends were leading by thirteen shots to four. Gradually, Sidmouth started to ease into the game and after ten ends there was just two shots in it. By the fifteenth end Abbrook edged ahead again leading by eight shots only to be pegged back to tie the match at twenty one ends. Another end was required to determine the outcome. The twenty second end did not go favourably for our ladies with both rinks going down to lose the match by five shots. Well done Sidmouth, good luck in the next round.

P Harris, J Stanley, C Wilkinson, A Russell lost 11-22

B Lawrence, M Sumner, J Medleycott, J Stevens won 26-20

Abbrook Park 37 shots Sidmouth 42 shots score after extra end.

1st June 2022 - Buckfastleigh BC

Buckfastleigh BC were the visitors to Abbrook Park this morning for their Over 55 “X” Division game. Abbrook were holding the lead throughout but the outcome always seemed far from certain. And so it proved, going to the wire with Abbrook winningthe last end of Norrie’s rinks by a shot to take all eight points.

P Rae, R Horrell, K Taylor won 23-9

F Carter, M Meathrel, N Wilson won 15-12

Abbrook Park 38 shots Buckfastleigh 21 shots

Abbrook Park 8 points Buckfastleigh 0

The “Y” team had a rest week.

31st May 2022 - Torquay BC

Life does not get any easier for our ladies SDL 1 team. Today’s lesson was handed out at Torquay BC where once again our ladies went down by two rinks to one.

J Wyatt, M Sumner, J Medleycott lost 20-11

J Hearne, B Lawrence, C Wilkinson lost 33-10

P Harris, J Stanley, A Russell won 17-23

Torquay 70 shots Abbrook Park 44 shots

Torquay 8 points Abbrook Park 2 points

30th May 2022 - Dawlish Marina

This evening our men travelled to Dawlish Marina for their MDL 4 match. This was their third match of the season and proved to be lucky as they recorded their first win of the season. Well done guys!

J Yeoman, D Pugh, P Rae, W Wale lost 15-11

M Cattell, M Busby, R Mitchell, L Wheeler lost 17-15

G Clark, R Rundle, G Walling, R Milne won 10-23

F Carter, B Rowe, M Meathral, R Worth won 15-21

Dawlish Marina 57 shots Abbrook Park 70 shots

Dawlish Marina 4 points Abbrook Park 10 points

29th May 2022 - Bitton Park (Featherstone Cup)

This now bi-annual competition took place at Abbrook Park this afternoon. In a match which in the first half was dry and after tea extremely wet, Bitton Park settled a lot quicker than their hosts and at five ends were twelve shots up overall. This was looking to be a tough defence of our title. Now, at this point our teams started to rally. A steady flow of shots started to come Abbrook’s way and by the end of the match emerged victorious on four of the six rinks drawing one of the others. Special mentions for the rinks skipped by Tom Archer and Kev Taylor. An extra special mention for the rink skipped by Phil Stanley who trailing 1-9 after five ends won their rink 19-11.

J Hearne, J Preston, Brian Lawrence, P Stanley won 19-11

B Rowe/M Busby, J Stanley, Barb Lawrence, T Archer won 23-15

G Clark, M Sumner, A Wilkinson, N Wilson drew 12-12

P Harris, C Wilkinson, M Bailey, K Taylor won 27-7

J Wyatt, M Meathrel, G Forester/J Barr/J Stevens won 19-18

T Bailey, R Excell, J Yeoman, R Horrell lost 14-19

Abbrook Park 114 shots Bitton Park 82 shots

28th May 2022 - Exonia BC

Today we welcomed Exonia BC to Abbrook for a friendly match. The game was triples played over four rinks. Abbrook won by three rinks to one and by 63 shots to 56

J Stanley, W Wale, N Wilson won 19-13

R Worth, D Woods, L Sharland won 16-15

J Preston, J Sharland, J Medleycott won 17-13

J Hearne, R Slinger, P Stanley lost 11 - 15

Abbrook Park 63 shots Exonia 56 shots

27th May 2022 - Swindon West End BC

This afternoon our guests were Swindon West End BC who were on a week-end tour of south devon. On a lovely sunny afternoon the green was busy with six full rinks of teams. A cream tea was taken after ten ends and after the match much drink and conversation flowed. “Fines” were issued by the visiting team on their own players for various “offences” including tardiness, failure to wear jackets, and not supporting the local raffle! All of course in good humour with the monies going to charity. The match itself? Swindon outnumbered the home team on rinks won by four to two, but the home team took the match by 107 shots to 103.

I Brooks, T Slinger, M Russell, A Russell lost 18-20

L Brooks, R Rundle, J Stanley, N Wilson lost 14-15

B Lawrence, D Pugh, M Meathrel, R Worth lost 18-20

L Slinger, M Busby, P Stanley, W Wale lost 16-18

M Cattell, G Clarke, A Wikinson, B Lawrence won 19-16

J Yeoman, J Wyatt, C Wilkinson, T Archer won 22-14

Abbrook Park BC 107 shots Swindon West End shots 103

26th May 2022 - Babbacombe BC

This evening Babbacombe were the hosts for Abbrook Park Men in their second MDL 4 match. Whilst we were able to win on one rink and drew on another having been ahead on the final end, the gap on the other two rinks was to great a distance to achieve a win.

G Clark, R Rundle, W Wale, R Milne won 20-16

J Yeoman, D Pugh, P Rae, R Worth lost 15-23

F Carter, B Rowe, M Meathral, D Wyatt drew 17-17

M Cattell, M Busby, R Mitchell, M Bailey lost 14-22

Babbacombe BC 78 shots Abbrook Park BC 66 shots

Babbacombe BC 11 points Abbrook Park BC 3 points

25th May 2022 - Torbay Country Club

Having played last night against Kings, our ladies were back in action this afternoon against more tough opposition in Torbay Country Club. Unfortunately, the game followed the same pattern as the previous evenings result, leaving Abbrook Park licking their wounds once more.

B Lawrence, C Wilkinson, Jean Stevens won 25-10

R Excell, M Sumner, J Medleycott lost 9-27

P Harris, J Stanley, A Russell lost 9-20

Abbrook Park 43 shots Torbay Country Club 57 shotss

Abbrook Park 2 points Torbay Country Club 8 points

25th May 2022 - Over 55 Division “Y”

Bitton Park were the hosts for the “Y” team this morning. Honours were even, a rink apiece, but Bitton Park emerged the winners overall.

G Clark, R Rundle, D Wyatt lost 14-20

M Busby, R Slinger, T Archer won 15-14

Bitton Park 34 shots Abbrook Park 29 shots

Bitton Park 6 points Abbrook Park 2 points

25th May 2022 - Over 55 Division “X”

Today, Abbrook Park were the guests of Starcross and District BC. The visitors, on a beautiful green, proved too strong for their hosts winning on both rinks to take home the spoils.

N Wilson, P Stanley, T Sandelance won 21-11

M Russell, B Lawrence, K Taylor won 27-12

Starcross 23 shots Abbrook Park 48 points

Starcross 0 points Abbrook Park 8

23rd May 2022 - Kings BC

On another pleasant evening our ladies were host to Kings BC for their SDL1 match.A good start from our ladies was brief and Kings started to slowly pull away on a couple of rinks. To their credit, the rink skipped by Jean “dug in” and finished the solitary winners for the home team.

P Harris, J Stanley, A Russell lost 12-18

B Lawrence, C Wilkinson, J Stevens won 23-20

M Sumner, J Medleycott, M Jones lost 10-24

Abbrook Park BC 45 shots Kings BC 62 shots

Abbrook Park BC 2 points Kings BC 8 points

21st May 2022 - Chagford BC

Chagford BC were our hosts for this afternoon’s friendly. On a lovely afternoon with the pretty Stannary town of Chagford as a backdrop. Whilst still a friendly the game was competitve enough. The outcome……. a win for the visitors by one shot.

J Irish, P Stanley, D Woods won 15-13

J McCord, A Russell, P Irish won 32-11

M Meathral, J Stanley, M Russell lost 13-22

J Wyatt, J Yeoman, D Wyatt lost 9-22

Chagford 68 Abbrook Park 69

19th May 2022 - Dawlish Marina BC

Dawlish Marina were the visitors for our third match in MDL2. Both teams had had a great start to the season winning both their opening games. On form this looked to be a tight game, and so it proved. After 5 ends Abbrook were trailing by 1 shot overall, after 10 ends were 4 up and after 15 ends were 3 up. In a tense finish Abbrook just managed to keep the visitors at bay by a single shot to take the match. A good close game, we look forward to the return.

L Woodger, W Wale, A Sanders, N Wilson won 17-13

I Brooks, G Walling, E Horrell, T Archer lost 25-15

M Russell, B Lawrence, P Stanley, T Sandelance lost 15-18

D Woods, P Irish, J Sharland, K Taylor won 25-15

Abbrook Park 72 shots Dawlish Marina 71 shots

Abbrook Park 10 points Dawlish Marina 4 points

18th May 2022 - Shaldon BC

Our ladies opened their “Interclub” campaign against Shaldon BC. The match was played on neutral territory as demanded by the competition. Our ladies were never in any great trouble running out comfortable winners on both rinks. They will now play Sidmouth BC at Culm Vale BC in the next round.

P Harris, J Stanley, C Wilkinson,A Russell won 24-10

B Lawrence, M Sumner, J Medleycott, J Stevens won 27-14

18th May 2022 - Over 55 “Y” Division

Chudleigh were the visitors to Abbrook Park and the hosts were not in generous mood nailing a comprehensive victory over our visitors.

L Woodger, R Slinger, T Archer won 19-11

A Wilkinson, W Wale, A Sanders won 48-19

Abbrook Park 48 shots Chudleigh 19 shots

Abbrook Park 8 points Chudleigh 0 point

18th May 2022 - Over 55 “X” Division

A very close game with Bitton Park came down to the last end of the remaining rink playing. Tony’s rink having already won won by four shots watched Norries rink who were trailing by four shots going into the final end. Somehow, Abbrook managed to get the four shots to tie the game narrowly missing out on a five to take all the honours.

P Rae, P Stanley, T Sandelance won 17-13

F Carter,, M Meathrel, N Wilson drew 18-18

Abbrook Park 35 shots Bitton Park 31 shots

Abbrook Park 7 points Bitton Park 1 point

17th May 2022 - Newton Abbot BC

Abbrook Park men opened their MDL 4 season entertaining our guests Newton Abbot. A game which can only be described as a little lopsided. Just after tea it was looking good for the home side with an overall lead of 22 shots, only to be chipped away at with Newton taking the match by 7 shots.

F Carter, P Sore, M Meathrel, D Wyatt won 36-8

J Yeoman, D Pugh, P Rae, B Worth lost 9-28

G Clark, A Hatcliff, G Wallings, P Langley won 24-17

J Webber, M Busby, R Rundle, L Wheeler lost 12-35

Abbrook Park 81 shots Newton Abbot 88 shots

Abbrook Park 4 points Newton Abbot 10

17th May 2022 - Bitton Park BC

It was our ladies first SDL 1 league game of the season, away to tough opposition in Bitton Park. On a fairly miserable afternoon the ladies fought hard eventually going down by two rinks to one.

M Sumner, J Hearne, J Medleycott lost 11-21

P Harris, J Stanley, A Russell won 18-14

B Lawrence, C Wilkinson, J Stevens lost 2-25

Bitton Park 60 Abbrook Park 31

Bitton Park 8 points Abbrook Park 2 points

16th May 2022 - Victoria BC

Our first home MDL 2 game of the season and the club were looking to build on their fine start at Newton Abbot. At the halfway stage it looked very much like the points were heading home with Victoria who were maintaing a seven shot lead but Abbrook “dug-in” and emerged the winners across all four rinks by an overall score of 88-66

I Brooks, D Woods, R Horrell, T Archer won 23-15

L Woodger, G Walling, A Sanders, N Wilson won 23-18

M Russell, B Lawrence, P Stanley, T Sandelance won 25-17

A Wilkinson, J Sharland, P Irish, K Taylor won 17-16

Abbrook Park 88 Victoria 66

Abbrook Park 14 points Victoria 0 points

13th May 2022 - Newton Abbot BC

The mens first MDL game of the season on Friday 13th proved to be unlucky for their hosts Newton Abbot BC. As ever the welcome was warm on a pleasant evening for playing bowls. Two of our rinks skipped by Kev and Norrie got of to flying starts and never looked back. The other two rinks skipped by Tom and Tony were nip and tuck eventually allowing their opposition to pull ahead. However, Tom’s team dogged it out, recovered an eleven shot deficit to win on the final end by one shot. Alas Tony’s rink were unable to recover their deficit for the clean sweep. Well done guys, great start!

I Brooks, D Woods, R Horrell, T Archer won 19-18

A Wilkinson, W Wale, J Sharland, K Taylor won 30-11

P Stanley, M Bailey, B Lawrence, T Sandelance lost 15-24

L Woodger, B Worth, A Sanders, N Wilson won 27-10

Newton Abbot 63 Abbrook Park 91

Newton Abbot 2 points Abbrook Park 12 points

12th May 2022 - Starcross and District BC

A friendly in which Abbrook were always chasing the game and eventually reduced the deficit to two shots. Perhaps we should have played the extra end?

J Webber, M Meathrel, B Lawrence, A Wilkinson won 18-11

D Wyatt, J Medleycott, C Wilkinson, J Stevens lost 12-17

P Sore, J Stanley, W Wale, B Lawrence won 20-18

R Slinger, J Yeoman, P Stanley, T Archer lost 18-24

12th May 2022 - Club Improvements

Resurfacing work of the car park has now been completed. The surface now needs to settle but will be re-opened on Saturday morning. Members are advised to take care when driving into the car park and to drive slowly (Maximum speed 5mph) so as not to disturb the surface too much when turning. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated. Our thanks to the guys for their hard work during this week. Well done Phil, Rob and especially our “digger operative” Ian for their dedicaion this week.

The digging in of the sewage waste disposal for the new toilet block continues. It is expected to have the block delivered next week. Again, well done guys this is a tremendous effort.

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11th May 2022 - Over 55 “Y” Division

On a very damp morning Abbrook Park met Newton Abbot in their first home game of the Over 55 season. For Abbrook the result very much reflected the mood of the weather. Gloomy, Abbrook losing by 16-39 shots. Abbrook Park 1 point Newton Abbot 7 points

G Walling, M Busby, P Langley drew 12-12

G Clark, R Rundle, D Wyatt lost 4-27

10th May 2022 - Shaldon BC

Our ladies were the visitors to Shaldon BC for this afternoons friendly triples match. Our ladies always seemed to be in control and at the halfway stage were twenty points to the good. The match finished with our ladies winning on all three rinks and by shots 57-30

A Walke, J Barr, J Medleycott won 25-9

S Mukherjee, J Greenwood, J Stevens won 16-9

J McCord, J Stanley, A Russell won 16-12

Monday 9th May saw work get underway on improvements around the club. During the work, the club car park and main entrance will be out of bounds. It is anticipated that this will be one week. Once complete we will be able to look forward to an improved surface for the car park and a new toilet block adjacent to the exisiting entrance.

Whilst the work is taking place would members park their cars using the main car park and enter the club through the small wooden gate at the other end of the club by the green bin. Thank you for your co-operation.

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8th May 2022 - Bovey Tracey BC

Bovey Tracey were the hosts for our ladies first friendly of the season. Four rinks playing triples was the order of the day. The hosts were not altogether generous winning the match by three rinks to one and by 65-57 shots.

P Harris, L Brooks, A Russell lost 12-14

S Mukherjee, A Walke, R Excell lost 13-24

J Barr, J Hearne, J Medleycott won 19-10

J Wyatt, T Bailey, C Wilkinson lost 13-17

7th May 2022 - Ladies County Rinks (Section 5)

Saturday saw the club host the Devon County Ladies Rinks. Seven teams competed. Abbrook Park, Bovey Tracey, Chudleigh and two teams each from Bitton Park and Newton Abbot. The morning saw progression for Abbrook Park, Bovey Tracey and Newton Abbot. These three, along with one of the Bitton Park teams who had a bye in the morning were set to play after lunch. The afternoon games saw Bovey Tracey and Bitton Park emerge as the winners. Well done to both teams who go forward to play at Topsham BC on Monday 27th June against other section winners.

5th May 2022 - Shaldon BC

Our return match against Shaldon BC resulted in an entirely different outcome. Having lost the home match by two rinks to one with one tied, and an overall score of 58-72, we went to Shaldon and returned a strong result beating the hosts by three rinks to one 65-46.

A Wilkinson, P Irish, J Sharland, K Taylor lost 17-21

L Woodger, R Rundle, P Stanley, T Sandelance won 12-9

F Carter, G Walling, R Milne, R Horrell won 18-12

I Brooks, M Meathrel, A Sanders, N Wilson won 18-13

 4th May 2022 - SDL Challenge Cup

This afternoon our ladies travelled to Paignton Torbay for an SDL Challenge Cup fixture against their hosts. The match went the way of our ladies by 87-42 shots. They now play the winners of Bovey Tracey or Dawlish Marina.

Singles; L Sharland won 20-12

Pairs; B Lawrence/J Stevens lost 15-18

Triples; J Stanley, C Wilkinson, A Russell won 34-4

Rinks; P Harris, M Sumner, J Barr, J Medleycott won 18-8

4th May 2022 - Over 55 “Y” Division

Our men’s Over 55 “Y” Division also opened their account away at Dawlish Marina and also secured a win by 33-23 shots and by six points to two.

L Woodger, J Preston, T Archer lost 8-15

A Wilkinson, W Wale, A Sanders won 25-8

4th May 2022 - Over 55 “X” Division

Abbrook Park men kicked off their Over 55 “X” Division campaign at home to Teignmouth Den. A good game in good weather ensued, the outcome of the match still in doubt going into the final two ends. Abbrook Park emerged as overall victors by 39-25 shots, picking up the maximum eight points.

J Yeoman, P Stanley, N. Wilson won 22-11

M Russell, B Lawrence, K Taylor won 17-14

22nd April 2022

Another fine day saw our first mixed friendly of the season against Crediton BC. A convivial afternoon saw the hosts edge out the visitors in a very close game by three rinks to two and by 80 shots to 78. 

21st April 2022

On a lovely warm spring evening, the season was officially underway for the men with their usual curtain raiser against Shaldon BC. Shaldon brought along a blend of youth and experience including Middleton Cup/International players. They did not however quite have it all their own way. Abbrook Park won on one rink and drew on a second. Unfortunaely the other two rinks went down for an overall match score of Abbrook Park 58 Shaldon 72. We look forward to the return match in a fortnight’s time.

P Stanley, M Russell, B Lawrence, T Sandelance lost 11-22

I Brooks, G Walling, R Horrell, T Archer lost 11-18

A Wilkinson, J Sharland, P Irish, K Taylor won 20-16

L Woodger, J Preston, A Sanders, N Wilson drew 16-16

16th April 2022 

Fine weather was the order of the day for the Club’s Opening of the 2022 season. Chairman Tom Archer introduced our new President, Mr. Ron Slinger who is the first President of the Club outside of the Pike family in our forty year existence. Ron rolled the first wood of the new season, we then proceeded to the “spider” which was won by our Club Secretary Phil Stanley. Following this we played a club friendly over six rinks, and a good time was had by all. Photographs are in Gallery 2022.

14th April 2022

Preparations for the coming season are now well underway. Following work by Sibelco to reinforce two sides of the green which were starting to crumble, club members have been busy replacing the back boards and carpeting. Work is also underway on the green to get it match ready for this Saturday. Maintenance of gardens and hedges has also been ongoing. We have new benches sitting around the green. Following a complete refurbishment of our kichen, the clubhouse has undergone a spring clean. The people involved are to numerous to mention. You know who you are. Well done to everyone in this considerable effort.

2021 Retrospective 

As we neared the start of the 2021 season Covid continued to dominate the news and coupled with Government guidelines of the day, Bowls England declared the season could proceed with certain spacing restrictions. This meant that there could be no rink play until a further review. Effectively this curtailed the MDL (Mid Devon League) season. The SDL (South Devon League) took the decision, after consultation, to also put their season on ice. The remaining league competition the men’s Over 55’s was able go ahead with a small reduction in the number of entries.

By early June most government restrictions on groups outdoors had been lifted. This enabled some clubs to play out some of their previously arranged league matches as friendlies. As for any other planned friendlies, these were abandoned before the season started.

Buckfastleigh BC celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2021 and invited seven other clubs to join them in a league competition for the Buckfastleigh Centenary Trophy. The competition format was a four rink triples with each team playing home and away matches against each other. The competition ran throughout the season with Abbrook Park emerging as the winners. 

As already mentioned, the Men’s Over 55 Triples League went ahead as planned. Our two teams captained by Jim Preston (“Y” team) and Norrie Wilson (“X” team) had steady seasons with the “Y” team coming closest, missing out as league champions, and a chance of a shot at the finals, by a mere nine points. Well done Jim. The “X” team finished in sixth position in their league and will be hoping for a better season in 2022. Hard luck Norrie.

Our ladies were invited to play in the Jubilee Cup. This is a competition played out between the eight sections of Devon. Each section is represented by four rinks, each rink represented by an invited club. This year Section Five was represented by Bitton Park, Chudleigh and Newton Abbot alongside Abbrook Park. Our ladies team were Jean Stephens, Barbara Lawrence, Joan Medleycott and Anne Russell. In the final, held at Paignton BC, our ladies defeated Section four in a close game to take the title. Margaret Jones our Section representative and County Competitions Secretary received the trophy on behalf of the team. Well done ladies.

Whilst there was no Mid Devon League this year, the MDL Cup competitions went ahead as planned. Abbrook Park, represented by Kev Taylor, Jeff Sharland and Ian Brooks finishing runners-up in the MDL triples competition. The finals were played at Marldon BC.

In the blue riband events of our club competitions, the spoils went to Tony Sandelance beating Ian Brooks in the men’s singles and in a tight game Lin Sharland beat Anne Russell in the Ladies competition. Congratulations to Tony and Lin.

In County and National competitions we had a healthy entry of players from the club. Whilst some progress was made no one was able to make an impact. This is probably testament to the strength of our Section and beyond in South Devon.

Last but by no means least, Anne Russell who was presented with her County Badge early in the season was invited to trial by the County for the Johns Trophy. A successful trial ensued.

The Johns Trophy is a twenty-one end, six rink competition against other counties. Devon qualified from their group beating Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. This took Devon to Leamington where, in the semi-final they beat Lincolnshire.

In a very tense final which went down to the last end of the one remaining rink playing, Devon emerged victorious against Surrey, the reigning champions, by two shots to win the Trophy for the first time since 2012. To crown this, Anne’s rink were the only one to win all their games throughout the tournament. Well done Anne.

So what appeared to be a bleak start to the season ended on a real high for both individual and club. With the prospect of the return of the MDL and SDL leagues, let’s see if we can improve even further in 2022.

18th April 2021

1) What a welcome back to the Bowling Club and Green we had yesterday. The weather was excellent, the Green was playing extremely well for the first day of the season. I even saw some woods going into the ditch! So many comments revolved around how well the Green was playing. Well done Ray.

Despite the unusual circumstances, a total of 40 members enjoyed the Green Opening afternoon in two sessions, satisfying the Bowls England Covid requirements.

Thanks go to Harry, Bill, Wendy and Christine who assisted in the Bar and Kitchen and Roy Blaber, our Bar Service waiter for the day, who was kept on his toes all afternoon.

Many thanks also, to all the members for respecting the one-minute silence in memory of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

It was good to see some faces that had not been seen since February last year and the camaraderie was evident all afternoon. It is obvious that everyone is looking forward to the season and actually getting out and bowling.

2) The Friday Club Night roll-up will be starting again on Friday 23 April. Please note that the starting time will be 6:00 pm. with registration before 5:45 pm. if you wish to play.

There will be a maximum of 24 players allowed on the Green. If more turn up, perhaps members will consider sharing a rink.

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December 2020

A lot of activity has been taking place at the Club during the week. The picture shows that the remaining three rotten edges of the Green have been replaced using the same process as per the first Green edge earlier this year. When the soil inside the edges has settled, Ray will apply top dressing and re-seed ready for the new season.


It was a big project that we had been threatening to do before next season and was completed with a great deal of effort by the following members: Ray Mitchell started the project off by cutting the edges back. Tom Archer, Rob Horrell, Jeff and Lin Sharland, Alan Sanders, new members Kevin Taylor and Ian Brooks all made a herculean effort to complete the project during the days when it didn't rain.


With the amount of effort needed for this job, thank you just does not seem adequate, but without this teamwork the labour cost would have run into many thousands of pounds on top of the cost of materials, so a very BIG THANK YOU to you all for a fantastic job well done, it is very much appreciated.



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Our Secretary having a swishing time

Our Secretary having a swishing time

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WORK PARTY

Work is under way to repair our ditches. A working party of Rob, Gordon, Lionel, Ray, Phil, Jeff and Lynne made a great start to the work yesterday. Well Done!!

Jean Wheeler was in the kitchen supplying breakfast for everyone.